New York/The Hague

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) expresses profound concern for the type of judgement and sentence imposed against a Member of Parliament in The Maldives, Mr. Ahmed Mahloof, MP, which relates to his decision not to obey certain police instructions or orders that were aimed at curbing his freedom of expression, opinion and public manifestation, within the framework of the Rule of Law of the Republic of the Maldives. The relevant Judgement was rendered in Male on 18 July 2016.

PGA calls upon all relevant national authorities to ensure that the fundamental human rights of all individuals, including Parliamentarians exercising their civil and political rights, are upheld, protected and enforced.

The Maldivian legal system is now tested by the case of Mr. Mahloof in so far as its ability to rectify the interpretation of laws infringing upon fundamental civil and political rights is concerned. The Maldives is, inter alia, a State Party to the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), and it is internationally-bound to respect its provisions. This may include appropriate action to bring about the necessary reform of the judgement and sentence affecting the personal liberty and the freedom of expression and non-violent action of opposition leaders.

PGA recalls in this respect the recent Statement of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Mr. Akbar Khan, Esq., which has been summarized by the media with the following heading “Opposition should be given space to scrutinize government”.