Powerful actors instructed Maldives to take measures contradictory to our laws: President

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that Maldives was instructed by powerful international actors to take certain measures contradictory to the country’s laws.

The President made this statement last night in his speech at the UN High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law in New York.

He highlighted that the Maldives was asked to hold early elections and to withdraw criminal cases filed by independent State bodies against the abduction of a Judge by armed forces, even if these measures were not allowed under the Constitution.

“When we questioned these instructions, the Maldives was labelled as an uncooperative State, casting doubt on the country’s democratic credentials. We were placed on an international watch-list, without due process.

“Our experience in dealing with the powerful international actors in the past few months has not been pleasant. If we do not stand up, and draw your attention to the injustices, the next could be one of you.”

The President said that Maldives is the smallest economy in South Asia, and small reductions in tourist arrivals or foreign investments have significant impact on our economy.

“The labelling has resulted the Maldives losing significant investments, external loan financing, and foreign tourist arrivals into the country.”

President Waheed stressed that national governments and international organisations alike, have a solemn duty to promote the rule of law.

“We believe that the story of the Maldives needs to be told. It is a lesson to be learnt by other small state. The application of the rule of law is to protect the smaller and the weaker; to prevent small justice being served to small states.”