Ben Emmerson, QC has been appointed by the joint opposition as their legal adviser for the all-party talks with the state, mediated by the United Nations.
In a statement released by the opposition, they stated that Emmerson will advise on “apprising other significant international bodies on the Maldives situation.”
The opposition had conditioned that the UN must play the mediating role in the discussions. They had also raised conditions to release the detained opposition leaders and to end the state of emergency, before they would acquiesce to the talks.
However, ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) stated that though they had agreed to the discussions, the government would not release any prisoners. They added that PPM would not join the talks should the opposition bring prior conditions and demands to the table.
Rumors of President Abdulla Yameen refusing UN mediated discussions had also circulated, but the government has denied the speculation, claiming that Yameen himself had requested UN assistance.
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