Foreign groups

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the recommendations made in the statements issued by the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) in relation to the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed following a Court order to the Police to produce him in Court, will be considered by the Maldivian government.

Speaking at a press conference at Foreign Ministry today, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dhunya Maumoon said that the government is taking several steps to strengthen democracy in the Maldives.

She stressed that like any other democratic country, the Maldives will not allow foreign groups to interfere with the judicial system of the country.

“The government is working continuously on strengthening democracy and upholding the rule of law,” she said.

The EU issued a statement yesterday, which said that the Union is observing the developments in the Maldives closely, and urged the authorities to ensure that former President Nasheed is given a fair trial. The EU also called upon all stakeholders to refrain from creating further tension and urged all parties to pursue political dialogue.

The statement by the British government also called for a fair trial, and urged all political parties to resume dialogue and cooperate to implement democratic reforms.

Dhunya said that Maldivian citizens are informed that false information is being spread by one group of people; however, confusions remain among foreign groups in relation to the truth about the situation in the Maldives.

She highlighted, nonetheless, that most countries are now informed of the truth, and said that the Maldives is often praised for its reform efforts in recent statements issued by foreign countries.