EU to adopt sanctions against Maldives on Monday

After months of concern over worsening human rights and political conditions in the country, the European Union (EU) is expected to adopt sanctions against the Maldives on Monday.

While the EU Foreign Affairs Council is to meet at around 9 am (Brussels time) on Monday, making a decision on the Maldives situation is fifth on its agenda.

Citing an official from the organization, local news site Maldives Independent reported that this “is not a point for discussion but is foreseen for adoption without debate”.

The Foreign Affairs Council is expected “to impose sanctions on persons and entities that violate human rights, undermine rule of law and obstruct the finding of a political solution in the country”.

While the Maldives is preparing for September’s election, the European Union has expressed concern that it will neither be free nor fair.

A report issued by EU in April, following Ambassador Eduard Kukan’s last trip to Maldives, noted that the conditions in the country have to change “so that the next elections are held in line with international obligations”. The report noted that Ambassador Kukan and his team had met representatives of the authorities, political parties, media, civil society and the international community, but highlighted that they were not granted meetings with some key players in the Maldivian political arena, such as the President and Supreme Court officials.

The report reads, “to date, the political and institutional environment of the Republic of Maldives has not been conducive for the adoption of meaningful and concerted electoral reforms”.

While a number of opposition leaders and officials have been jailed since incumbent President Abdulla Yameen assumed power in 2013, the European Union emphasized that “political contestants need to be able to freely campaign on a level playing field, and civil society and the media need to be able to freely perform their oversight functions”. However, President Yameen and government officials continue to deny that there are political prisoners in the country.

Last week President Yameen revealed that he had been warned of EU’s plans to adopt sanctions against him and his allies later this month and blamed the opposition for dragging the country’s name through mud.

Noting that his government has been holding discussions with the EU to resolve the matter, the President accused it of ignoring their argument and instead listening to the opposition.

Following a meeting with Maldivian government officials who traveled to Brussels, Belgium for consultations with officials of the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) in June, it emphasized the importance "of credible, transparent and inclusive presidential elections in the Maldives both for democracy in the country and for future relations between EU and the government of Maldives".

It had also reminded the Maldivian government of plans to take "targeted" measures “if political situation does not improve".