:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

MDP - Press release

27^th February 2004

MDP delegation meets with British Foreign & Commonwealth Office

The delegation of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the United Kingdom, Members of the General Council, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed and Mr. Ahmed Shafeeq Ibrahim Moosa, met with the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London on 23^rd February 2004. The meeting was headed by Mr. James Dauris, Deputy Head, South Asian Department.

Discussions concentrated on the current issues in the Maldives, include the unlawful ban on forming political parties as well as the deteriorating human rights situation in the Maldives. The MDP delegation explained the detailed accounts of the recent arrests of members and supporters of MDP in the Maldives on 13^th February 2004.

Mr. Dauris thanked the MDP delegation for their explanation of the political and human rights situation in the Maldives. Furthermore, Mr. Dauris mentioned the possibility of European Union member states reviewing the situation in the Maldives and said that he had discussed the Maldives recently in London with H.E. Stephen Evans, the British High Commissioner for the Maldives.

MDP Council Members requested for further British assistance in establishing the party and allowing operation in the Maldives as per the constitution of the Maldives and stressed the importance of political pluralism and democracy.

MDP is heartened by the high regard and deep concern shown by the Government of the United Kingdom towards the people of the Maldive Islands.

End/ .. secretariat@maldiviandemocraticparty.org