The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group take strict action against the Maldives

 

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has lost an opportunity to take strict action against the Maldives government, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) said raising concern over the continued leeway being allowed to member states for repeated disregard to the Commonwealth Charter.

 

Days after CMAG, a watchdog body comprising of eight foreign ministers placed Maldives on its formal agenda, CHRI in a statement accused the body of failing to show urgency in responding to evidence pointing at persistent violations by the Maldives government.

“Unless monitoring by CMAG is accompanied with clear consequences for non-compliance, the body’s weight in the promotion of democratic values will not strengthen”, the statement read.

CMAG had laid out a six-point reform agenda in February, which includes the release of political prisoners and judicial reform.

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has called on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to convene before the end of 2016 to “take stock of the situation in the Maldives and reassess its response.”

CHRI made the comment in a statement issued following CMAG’s decision to place Maldives on its formal agenda. A follow up meeting has been scheduled for March 2017, where the Ministers would consider options such as suspension, depending on the progress made by the country in the priority areas highlighted by CMAG.

Welcoming the decision, CHRI, however expressed concern in regard to the delay in taking this step.”

CHRI, who prior to the CMAG meeting on Friday, said that “this is the time for resolute action against the Maldivian government,” said that it believed that “this is a missed opportunity for CMAG to take the firm stand needed to reinforce Commonwealth’s fundamental principles.”

Noting that the government of Maldives has failed to demonstrate progress since February 2016 despite being given sufficient time and assistance- both diplomatic and technical, CHRI urged CMAG to “reorient its engagement with the Maldives towards firm resolute action”.

“We reiterate the urgent need for CMAG to convene before the year’s end to take stock of the situation in the Maldives and reassess its response,” said CHRI.

CHRI, who prior to the CMAG meeting on Friday, said that “this is the time for resolute action against the Maldivian government,” said that it believed that “this is a missed opportunity for CMAG to take the firm stand needed to reinforce Commonwealth’s fundamental principles.”

CHRI said that “this was the time to order suspension of the Maldives from the Councils of the Commonwealth with a strong message that this would only be lifted upon visible, time-bound, progress in the six areas stipulated by CMAG.

It further emphasized that “standards of democracy and human rights in Maldives have only worsened,” during the review period between February and September.

“Having recognized the serious concerns to democracy, rule of law and human rights in the country in February 2016 and having laid down clear, measurable, priority areas for action which have not been met, we believe the body has failed to show urgency in responding to evidence pointing at persistent violations by granting the Maldives six more months to take action,” said CMAG.

Echoing the concerns of Commonwealth Secretary General’s Special Envoy Dr. Willy Mutunga, CHRI said that it remains “deeply concerned” by the present circumstances” in the Maldives and that it “seriously questions whether a conducive environment for credible and inclusive presidential elections in 2018 can be achieved without firm international pressure on all political players, particularly the ruling party, to take the steps needed to create political dialogue.” Mutunga is his briefing notes to the CMAG, said that “the inability of political leaders to participate in political life could prevent a credible presidential election in 2018.”

CHRI also noted its concerns regarding the independence of the Maldives’ institutions, including the parliament, judiciary and police.

CHRI had, in a statement issued on September 19, said that Maldives "is sliding to a dictatorial system once again," and that the situation, if allowed to continue "will soon push the island nation into the brink of violence and anarchy."