:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

EU Resolution on Maldives passed with 170 votes to Nil against and 7 abstentions

The following Resolution was passed today in the European Parliament and was voted today at Strassburg. Out of 177 MEPs 170 voted in support of the resolution with 7 abstentions. None voted against the resolution. This is a remarkable support for the motion and the expressed will of the European Parliament, representing more than 450 million people in Europe.

MOTION FOR A JOINT RESOLUTION (Passed)

In accordance with article 115 of the Rules of Procedure

by ..... on behalf of the EPP-ED Group

..... on behalf of the PSE Group

..... on behalf of the ALDE Group

..... on behalf of the Green/EFA Group

..... on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

..... on behalf of the IND/DEM

..... on behalf of the UEN Group

..... on behalf of the EDD Group

on the political situation in the Maldives

- Having regard to the EU's fact-finding mission to the Maldives following the imposition of a state of emergency,

- Having regard to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) which the Maldives signed in May earlier this year; (2, GUE)

A. Whereas the announcement of a state of emergency, and the subsequent mass arrests (194 people, including 10 MPs) is a disproportionate reaction by the authorities to what was a largely peaceful demonstration;

B. Noting that President Gayyoom uses imprisonment to suppress parliamentary democracy and that he is currently holding the leadership of the Maldives Democratic Party in prison, including, Dr Mohamed Munavvar MP (former Attorney General), Ali Faiz MP, Ilyas Hussein MP, Ahmed Shafeeq MP, Ahmed Adil MP, Dr Hussein Rasheed Hassan MP (member of the National Human Rights Commission), Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (the widely respected diplomat and former Secretary General of SAARC), Ibrahim Ismail MP Mohammed Naseem MP, Ahmed Athif MP and Gasim Ibrahim MP, (former President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and the pro-reform candidate for the post of Speaker in the Maldivian Parliament); (P, UEN)

C. Whereas the following public figures are being held in incommunicado detention and have reportedly been subjected to torture: Husnoo Alsuood (lawyer and member of the National Human Rights Commission), Fathimath Nisreen, Mohammed Niyaz, Ahmed Ibrahim Didi, Mohamed Zaki, Ibrahim Zaki, Mariam Manike, Jennifer Latheef, Aminath Najeeb, Mohammed Naseem and Asad Whaeed; (Q, UEN)

D. Considering the Commission's most recent Country Strategy Paper which listed the following as problems known to exist in the Maldives: "arbitrary arrest", "incommunicado detention", and the "lack of an independent judiciary" and which notes that "individual freedoms are restricted"; (D, PPE mod.)

E. Whereas the protest was to demand constitutional reform and the release of political prisoners;

F. Whereas this small island nation in the Indian Ocean has been ruled over the past 26 years by a tough totalitarian regime;

G. Whereas the election system in the Maldives is fundamentally flawed due to the one-party system and the judicial system is also biased; (PPE mod.)

H. Whereas the reform process in the Maldives is at a crucial stage;

I. Whereas President Gayyoom has suggested a change to the constitution which would limit his powers and permit political parties in the country, although opponents of the regime are very sceptical of any proposed changes;

J. Whereas the EU delegation which visited the islands was denied access to detainees;

K. Noting that the Maldives signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on 13 March 1991, yet continues to detain minors in prison; (PPE)

L. Noting that the Maldives declared its international commitment to eliminate all forms of gender discrimination by signing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 31 July 1993; (C, GUE)

M. Whereas in this atmosphere of intimidation, the citizens of the Maldives do not have freedom of speech and expression as the President controls the media; (PPE)

N. Whereas the Maldives has a special relationship with the European Union and benefits from development assistance; (PPE)

O. Whereas trade with the Maldives has increased, with imports from the Maldives into the EU reaching 38 million Euro in 2002; (PPE)

P. Noting that the European Commission has made available a cooperation budget for the Maldives of 2 million Euro; (PPE)

Q. Considerant que les Maldives appartiennent au Groupe des "Pays les Moins Avances" et dependent tres largement a l'exterieur pour leur developpement; (H, PSE)

R. Whereas European Union aid is not given to corrupt regimes, who ignore their international commitments, but rather is conditional upon the recipient's record of good governance, the rule of law, human rights and their commitment to reform; (PPE)

S. Whereas the EU will be paying close attention to future developments, in accordance with human rights stipulations laid down in the Cotonou Agreement and related agreements;

T. Whereas President Gayyoom has in the past established successfully a thriving tourism industry, he has also established what can only be described as a thriving family business and political network throughout the country; (PPE)

U. Whereas last year 106,451 Italians, 77,642 Germans, 71,440 Britons, not to mention those from other Member States, travelled to the Maldives unaware of the lack of respect of the Maldivian authorities for fundamental human rights and the number of people who are detained without trial. (PPE mod.)

1. Calls upon President Gayyoom to immediately repeal the state of emergency in the Maldives, guarantee the fundamental human rights of his citizens, and release the pro-democracy reformers he arrested on 14^th August 2004; (1, PPE)

2. Calls on the Government to press ahead with an open and thorough reform process, which will be the best way to ensure stability in the country;

3. Souhaite que soit entrepris le processus democratique promis, en particulier le pluralisme politique et la liberte de choisir ses dirigeants; (2, PSE)

4. Calls for the early conclusion of an agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on prison monitoring;

5. Calls on the Commission and Member States to immediately cease all non-humanitarian aid to the Maldives and to place an immediate travel ban in order to prevent members of the Government and other officials of the Maldives from entering the Member States of the European Union; (4 and 5, PPE mod.)

6. Calls on the EU and Member State Governments to determine where Maldivian government funds are being banked overseas; (6, PPE)

7. Calls on the European Union to issue thorough warnings to all tourists planning to go the Maldives of the human rights record of this country; (7, PPE mod.)

8. Calls on the European Commission to initiate an official, longer term, European Union educational programme whereby tourists are made aware of countries human rights records whilst choosing their travel destinations and are warned of countries where these are not in accordance with internationally agreed standards; (8,PPE)

9. Demande au Gouvernement des Maldives d'autoriser une delegation de l'Union europeenne a rencontrer les militants ayant manifeste en faveur de la Democratie; (3, PSE)

10. Instructs its President this Resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Government of the United States, the World Tourism Authority and all tourism related bodies, IATA and ATOL licensed tour operators and airlines, the Government of India and the Governments of SAARC countries. (10,PPE)