Council of the EU not 'entertaining thoughts' to penalize Maldives, claims Ambassador Shiaan

The Council of the European Union ratifying the European Parliament’s resolution to impose sanctions against human rights abusers in the Maldives is not likely to happen, claims Ambassador Ahmed Shiaan.

Shiaan, Maldivian ambassador to Belgium and the European Union as well as non-resident representative to a number of nations, said this following the parliament’s adoption on Thursday.

Shiaan said that the Council of the EU have no ‘current thoughts’ of ratifying the resolution and that judging by their recent statements, such a scenario is ‘far away’.

“A decision from the Council is something that we have to be concerned about, and something that can hurt us, but at this time it is unlikely to happen” Shiaan said.

The ambassador also said that a decision from the Council of the EU would be seriously deliberated on and likely implemented, although he spoke in a manner suggesting the government’s negotiations with the international community have been positive.

Representatives of the European Union, a delegation of ambassadors visited in February shortly after the state of emergency was declared, that visited the Maldives told journalists that the government has ‘ignored’ their request for dialogue, expressing disappointment.

The European Parliament’s resolution notes Maldives’ repression of political opposition, violence against journalists, lack of judicial and parliamentary independence, and laws infringing basic freedoms.

“[The resolution] calls on the EU to make full use of all instruments at its disposal in order to promote respect for human rights and democratic principles in the Maldives, including by considering introducing temporary individual targeted sanctions against those undermining human rights” it states.

Penalties proposed in the resolution are sanctions and travel bans; to freeze funds of and restrict admission for known committers of human rights violations. The resolution also calls on the Maldives to lift the ongoing state of emergency and to fully support the 'right to protest, freedom of expression, association and assembly'.

Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee this week had also said that the government has been in constant negotiation with the European Union and the United Nations, who have both been releasing consecutive statements expressing concern over evolving political crisis in the Maldives.

In a statement responding to the parliament’s adoption of the resolution, the government defended its stance on the death penalty, not lifting the state of emergency, and assures that the presidential elections slated for later this year will be free and fair.