Government will uphold rule of law, President tells British High Commissioner

British High Commissioner accredited to the Maldives John Rankin has paid a farewell call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Discussions took place during the meeting regarding the current political situation of the country, and President Yameen reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and consolidating democracy in the Maldives.

The British High Commission in Colombo tweeted earlier that High Commissioner Rankin met with President Yameen today, and raised concerns regarding judicial independence and due process for former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim.

According to the British High Commission, President Yameen assured the safety of both Nasheed and Nazim.

1/2 British HC @JRankinMaldives met President Yameen today. @PresidencyMaldives

— ukinmaldives (@UKinMaldives) March 25, 2015

2/2 @JRankinMaldives raised concerns re judicial independce & due process for @MohamedNasheed & @nazim7878. President assured safety of both

— ukinmaldives (@UKinMaldives) March 25, 2015

Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges on 13 March 2015, and hearings were recently completed on possession of firearms charges against Nazim.

At today’s meeting, President Yameen expressed his gratitude to High Commissioner Rankin for the cooperation and close friendship with the Maldives during his tenure. The President also conveyed his hopes to further strengthen the close mutual relations the two countries held.

High Commissioner Rankin said that it was a great pleasure to serve the Maldives as his country’s High Commissioner to the Maldives. Further, High Commissioner Rankin reassured of British government’s commitment to working with the Maldives on issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Minister at the President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef, and Foreign Secretary Ali Naseer Mohamed.