EU urges Maldives government to hold dialogue with opposition

The European Union (EU) has called on the Maldives government to engage with the opposition.

The EU made this statement at the 38th general meeting of the United Nation’s Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday.

In the statement, the EU said it remains deeply concerned by the threats to democracy and fundamental freedoms in Maldives and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners.

It also urged the Maldives government to engage with the leaders of the opposition in a genuine dialogue.

The EU has been closely observing the situation in Maldives following the political turmoil that erupted after the Supreme Court ordered the release of high-profile prisoners and reinstatement of opposition MPs on February 1. However, President Abdulla Yameen and his administration refused to meet with the EU delegation that had arrived in the country.