EU’s proposed sanctions list for Maldives contains 41 names
The MEP confirmed this in an interview with EP Today, which reports on news from the European Parliament
President Abdulla Yameen with senior ruling party members
The European Union (EU)’s proposed sanctions list for Maldives contains 41 names, says MEP Tomas Zdechovsky, who was Rapporteur for the European Parliament’s March 2018 Resolution on the Maldives.
The MEP confirmed this in an interview with EP Today, which reports on news from the European Parliament.
The report published on Tuesday, stated that five European officials, including MEP Zdechovsky, had arrived in capital city Male’ to meet with the Joint Opposition and observe the current political situation.
The report stated that “the delegation uncovered disturbing, undemocratic trends occurring in the archipelago. Attacks on democratic principles, combined with close ties to radical Islamist groups, brings the security of European tourists, business and investors into question.”
It highlighted the various problems in the country, including President Abdulla Yameen’s authoritarian rule, the imprisonment of judges and politicians, the removal of opposition MPs, as well as the electoral fraud and manipulation of the upcoming presidential election using the Elections Commission, which is known to be biased towards the regime.
In July, the European Council announced restrictive measures on the Maldives with the threat of targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for “undermining the rule of law or obstructing an inclusive political solution” in the Maldives, and those who have committed “serious human rights violations”.
The report noted that, due to the EU’s failure to specify the individuals they will be targeting, President Yameen has declared the resolution as “false threats,” and he discounts the EU’s commitment to action.
However, MEP Zdechovsky said “I was Rapporteur of the European Parliament Resolution on the Maldives. We have the list. It has 41 names on it; I have seen it. We have targeted sanctions. Now is time for strategy. The Resolution is clear; the articles are clear. We will send a strong message to the EU after this visit”.
