Ambassador says 'there is no list', accuses MEP of lying 'to create fear and influence vote'
On Tuesday, reports surfaced that the European Union's proposed sanctions list for Maldives contains a total of 41 name
Ahmed Shiaan presents credentials to the President of the European Council
Maldives Ambassador to the European Union, Ahmed Shiaan, has denied that the European Union has a list of human rights abusers in Maldives, calling it 'a big lie' amongst many to come.
On Tuesday, reports surfaced that the European Union's proposed sanctions list for Maldives contains a total of 41 names.
In an interview to EP Today on Tuesday, MEP Thomas Zdechovsky, the Rapporteur of the European Parliament Resolution on the Maldives, said that they have a list 'with 41 names'.
"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," Zdechovsky told EP Today.
However, in an interview to state broadcaster Public Service Media (PMS) on Wednesday night, the ambassador called this 'a big lie'.
While Zdechovsky, along with MEPs Maria Gabriela Zoana and Ryzsard Czarnecki, are to have traveled to the Maldives to show their support to the Maldivian people after forfeiting their vacation time, Ambassador Shiaan said that the government was unaware of such a trip and accused them of 'breaking Maldivian visa regulations'.
Emphasizing that 'there is no such list', he said that the Council of the EU has decided against making a list for the time being. Shiaan said that any such lists will be made after elections, adding that they know that 'there has been no work done' to compile one yet.
Furthermore, the ambassador called EP Today's report on the matter 'confusing', highlighting that 'it did not specify the kind of list'.
Noting that 'anyone can make such a list', Shiaan further claimed that 'there is no such list'. While he criticized EP Today, it is important to note that the ambassador has previously contributed to the European Parliament's monthly news magazine.
However, he said that they will not be able to clarify the matter until September as all MEPs are currently on vacation.
In July, the European Council announced restrictive measures on the Maldives including 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”.
While EP Today noted that EU's failure to specify these individuals has led to the country's incumbent president declaring its resolution as 'false threats', Shiaan noted that the talks of sanctions 'has been going on for years'.
He added that this is being done 'to create fear amongst businessman and influence elections'.
Further noting that they expect more such 'lies' as the country's presidential elections draws near, the ambassador said that they will be taking the matter to the relevant authorities.
While the Maldives Ambassador EU denies a list, MEP Zdechovsky on Thursday responded to this, simply saying 'there is'.
Former Maldives Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Farah Didi said that 'it is downright embarrassing when Maldives government propaganda involves its own Ambassador to EU claiming Thomas Zdechovsky's interview about a sanctions list of 41 individuals is not true and the MEP has to clarify on social media that there is such a list'.
