The Government of Maldives calls for dialogue; public statements unhelpful

February 22, 2018

The Government of Maldives takes note of the public statements issued by the Government of India that ignore the facts and ground realities with regard to the ongoing political developments in the Maldives.  The assertion by the Government of India that the extension of the State of Emergency by the People’s Majlis was unconstitutional is a clear distortion of facts, which ignore the Constitution and Laws of the Maldives.

On 5 February 2018, the President declared the State of Emergency under the powers vested in him in Article 253 of the Constitution, pertaining to a Constitutional Crisis, and an imminent threat to national security, upon the advice of the National Security Council.  The Supreme Court had cleared the validity of the Emergency in its ruling on 21 February 2018. In its decision to extend the State of Emergency on 20 February 2018, the People’s Majlis provided relief by lifting some of the restrictions imposed on Constitutional Articles under the State of Emergency and by imposing the State of Emergency only upon individuals alleged to have carried out illegal activities and in the places they stayed.  The Peoples’ Majlis also in its sitting decided to refer the issue to the Supreme Court, for Advisory Opinion, under Article 95 of the Constitution, pertaining to which the Supreme Court has issued an Order to implement the State of Emergency, till the Court issues a verdict on the issue.

Other than implementing the necessary measures stated in the Decree imposing the State of Emergency, it ensures no other restriction on the daily lives of the people and provides protection to the citizens living in the Maldives, to foreign workers and to those visiting the country.

There is no doubt that the Maldives is experiencing one of the most difficult periods in the history of the nation.  It is therefore important that friends and partners in the international community, including India, refrain from any actions that could hinder resolving the situation facing the country.

The Government of Maldives reiterates its firm commitment to work closely with the international community, including India, to address the concerns they might have.

ENDS