Swire says Maldives has until September to follow through on recommendations before sanctions

Minister of Foreign Affairs for Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire has said that Maldivian government had until September to follow through on recommendations by Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to rectify issues in six areas, before the organization takes up sanctions against the country.

Despite the decision to remove Maldives from CMAG agenda, the organization said in a press statement that there had been no improvement in the country regarding the basic rights and freedom of civilians. And that the government needed to draw up a roadmap in which to achieve the civil rights and freedom, as well as show evidence of progress being made in government discussions with opposition political parties.

In answer to a question posed by Commonwealth parliamentarian Julie Cooper last Thursday, Swire said that sanctions would be taken up against the country if there was no improvement by September.

No progress has been made in all-party talks so far with opposition parties Maldivian Democratic Party and Adhaalath Party refusing to refusing to join in unless their party leaders are freed.