Not wise to ignore EU’s clear and strong message: Dunya

Former Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon has said that it is not wise to ignore the European Union’s “clear and strong message.”

She said this in a tweet on Monday after the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council adopted a framework that that will allow them to impose travel bans and asset freezes on the relevant individuals and entities if the political and human rights situation in Maldives does not improve.

In the tweet, Dunya said that the EU is encouraging Maldives “to return to the path of democracy.”

She also said that there were many issues the country needs to deal with including “political prisoners”, an independent Elections Commission, fair trials, and preparing for a free and fair election.

“Talks?”, she added.

On Monday, the EU Council adopted a framework to implement restrictive measures such as travel bans and asset freezes against individuals and entities responsible for ‘undermining the rule of law or obstructing an inclusive political solution in the Maldives as well as persons and entities responsible for human rights violations.’

The Council added that it would implement this framework ‘if the situation does not improve' in Maldives.