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EU adopts framework for restrictive sanctions against Maldives

Rae Munavvar
16 July 2018, MVT 13:58
Rae Munavvar
16 July 2018, MVT 13:58

The Foreign Affairs Council for the European Union (EU) has adopted a framework for restrictive sanctions against the country and against certain political leaders and their associates, to be put in effect if the current political situation further debilitates in their view.

The council called on Maldives Monday to initiate all-party talks with the inclusion of opposition leaders most of whom are currently convicted to prison terms, and to ensure a transparent, free and fair elections.

Should Maldives fail to comply with the requirements outlined within the approved framework, the EU has declared “possible suspension of EU financial assistance to the country pending the resumption of the rule of law and abidance by democratic principles.”

The framework was initiated over the government's refusal to comply with the resolution passed by the EU Parliament earlier. The resolution called on Maldives to restore democracy, revive and ensure all the rights accorded by the Constitution to the people, and allow the parliament and judiciary to function within the legal framework. The EU parliament also called on the government to dismiss the charges levied on "unlawfully" detained politicians of the opposition, and to reinstate 12 lawmakers that were ousted from the parliament over floor-crossing.

In the council held today, EU discussed its previously declared intent to “introduce targeted measures and sanctions against those in the country undermining human rights, and to freeze the assets abroad of, and impose travel bans on, certain members of the Maldivian Government and their leading supporters in the Maldivian business community”, if the conditions are not met within a yet-to-be specified period of time.

However, the council has thus far not made a decision to impose sanctions on any such individual, nor has it made the list of high profile individuals public.

In an earlier statement made by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, he criticised EU for calling on the government to curb its blatant stance against religions other than Islam prevailing in Maldives.

"However there are certain things that my government will never compromise; policies that we will not renounce," he had said, adding that should EU enforce sanctions against Maldives for maintaining those policies, then the nation would work to overcome them.

The next meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council shall be held following a hiatus of two months.

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