CHRI calls on CMAG to suspend Maldives from Commonwealth

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has asked the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) for resolute action against Maldives including suspending the country from the councils of Commonwealth.

CHRI has called upon CMAG to suspend Maldives from the Councils of the Commonwealth, exclude Maldives from all Commonwealth inter-government meetings and events and halt all

Commonwealth technical assistance, other than that of the Secretary General’s Special Envoy.

CHRI expressed concern over what it called “continuing and persistent deterioration” of human rights, rule of law and democracy in the Maldives.

“There has been a steady deterioration since CMAG’s last meeting in April 2016. The government of the Maldives continues to act with little regard to constitutional principles or

Maldives’ international commitments, in particular the Commonwealth Charter. Events and developments on the ground give further evidence of curbing fundamental rights, targeted persecution of opposition leaders, misuse of state institutions (including the judiciary, legislature and the police) to restrict, crush and punish dissent, stifling political debate, and crippling independent institutions,” wrote CHRI in their submission to CMAG.

CHRI said that the Maldivian government was not engaging sincerely with Commonwealth or United Nations to implement democratic reforms.

The human rights body said that it strongly believed the current environment in Maldives was not conducive to free and fair presidential elections in 2018, and said that the country was sliding back into a dictatorial system again.

“CHRI is worried that, if allowed to continue, the situation will soon push the island nation into the brink of violence and anarchy.”

It called for CMAG to make the decision for resolute action against Maldives during its next meeting.

A CMAG meeting has been scheduled in the sidelines of the UN General Assembly which will be held in New York this month.