Four NGOs call on government not to distance Maldives from international organisations

Four NGOs have called on President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and political groups to disregard calls to distance Maldives from international organisations.

This was in reference to the bill submitted to Parliament to withdraw Maldives from Commonwealth.

A letter sent to political groups under ‘Thinvana adu’, a campaign started by Transparency Maldives, Maldivian Democracy Network, Democracy House and Maldives NGO Federation, states that without the assistance of international organisations, state institutions will face serious challenges in development efforts and in efforts to strengthen democracy. They expressed concern over calls to withdraw Maldives from such organisations.

“The NGOs which have come together for ‘Thinvana adu’ campaign call on political groups and the government to work towards strengthening ties with foreign countries and international organisations, instead of creating hostility towards them in the society,” reads the letter addressed to President Waheed, Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Shahid, MPs, and leaders of political parties.

The letter stressed the importance of working with international organisations to resolve the problems faced by Maldives.