EU Parliament passes resolution against Maldives

European Parliament has passed a resolution calling to release former President Mohamed Nasheed, former Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb, former defence ministers Tholhath Ibrahim and Mohamed Nazim, Sheikh Imran Abdulla, and other political prisoners.

European Parliament said on its website that members expressed deep concern about the gradual deterioration of democratic standards and increasingly authoritarian tendencies in the Maldives.

Members also called on the EU Commission and member states "to issue comprehensive warnings about the Maldives’ human rights record to tourists planning to go to the country" and asked the European External Action Service to monitor closely the human rights and political situation in the Maldives.

The resolution was passed by 563 votes to 31, with 32 abstentions.