The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in the Maldives.
The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, GUE/NGL, ECR, EFDD and Greens/EFA groups.
Parliament deplored the crackdown on political opponents in the Maldives, and called on the government to drop all charges against former president Mohamed Nasheed and to release, immediately and unconditionally, all those being held for political reasons, including Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim. It called on the Maldives government to ensure the full independence and impartiality of the judiciary, and called on the Supreme Court of the Maldives to immediately revoke the suspension of those of the 56 lawyers suspended in September to whom the measure still applies.
Parliament called on the EU to make full use of all instruments at its disposal in order to promote respect for human rights, including by considering introducing temporary individual targeted sanctions against those undermining human rights.
It expressed its deep regret at the deteriorating political and human rights situation in the Maldives and the increasingly authoritarian rule of President Abdulla Yameen and his government, which has created a climate of fear and jeopardised the gains made in the country in recent years in the areas of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, particularly in the light of the elections to be held in 2018. In particular, Members condemned the passing in 2016 of the Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act, which sought to clamp down on freedom of expression, and the amendments in 2016 to the Freedom of Assembly Act restricting the right of assembly.
Members also strongly condemned the announcement of the reintroduction of the death penalty in the Maldives, urging the Government and Parliament of the Maldives to respect the moratorium on the death penalty, which has been in place for more than 60 years.