Maldives off the CMAG agenda

Foreign Ministry has said that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has decided not to include the Maldives on their agenda.

Fisheries Minister, Dr. Mohamed Shainee told Sun Media tonight that the CMAG has noted the government efforts and support to the all-party talks and called to all political parties in the country to support the talks.

CMAG has previously offered actions to that could be taken by the Maldives instead of putting it on the agenda.

Suggestions made by the CMAG to the Maldives:

- An inclusive, purposeful, time-bound and forward-looking political dialogue, initiated by the Government and with the constructive participation initially of representatives of all political parties, aimed at achieving deeper and enduring understanding between government and opposition parties of their respective roles and responsibilities, a shared sense of national priorities, and overall a stronger climate of political pluralism in Maldives;

- Steps to be taken by the Government to enable the release of political leaders under detention or custody and the return of those from outside the country, so that all political leaders can contribute to political life in Maldives, including the political dialogue and the 2018 elections, pursuant to the Commonwealth Charter and the inalienable right of the people of Maldives to choose their political representatives;

- Steps to be taken to prevent the ongoing use of anti-terrorism or other legislation to stifle national political debate, and to address concerns raised regarding due process in judicial cases involving political figures;

- Renewed consideration and swift ensuing action to implement the recommendations made earlier by the Commonwealth on the separation of powers and independence of the judiciary in Maldives;

- Consideration by all concerned of practical confidence-building measures that promote freedom and space for civil society; and,

- The Commonwealth Secretariat to continue to offer all possible support to Maldives to implement its plans to address its human capacity and other technical assistance needs, particularly in order to advance the legislation and other elements of the legal framework required to give full effect to the letter and spirit of the constitution of Maldives and the independence of its institutions.