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Maldives issues raised at UK parliament

As a result of the representation made by delegation of the Maldivian Democratic Party about the human rights abuses by Gayyoom's government and the need for pluralistic democracy in the Maldives, the UK government has confirmed that they are considering what actions they might take along with EU partners. Gayyoom must now keep an open mind and change his policies and allow political pluralism in the Maldives. That would be his best option. MDP delegation is now preparing to visit our EU countries and are preparing an adjournment debate at the British Parliament.

Listed below are the answers to the questions raised by Rt. Hon. Mr. Robert Key, MP for Salisbury and answers given by the Foreign Minister.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department last met members of the (i) Government of the Maldives and (ii) Maldivian Democratic Party; and what was discussed. [160667] [Picture right Rt. Hon. Robert Key, MP for Salisbury at the House of Commons]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The last official meeting between Ministers was in 1999 when my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister visited the Maldives. Our High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, also accredited to the Maldives, met with the Maldives Deputy Foreign Minister in Colombo on 30 January this year. The High Commissioner will be visiting the Maldives later on this month, and will seek calls on the President, Foreign Minister, and Deputy Foreign Minister. Officials in London last met the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on 24 February 2004. Our High Commission in Colombo has regular contact with MDP representatives, and the High Commissioner was the first Head of Mission to meet them on 8 January this year. The discussion with the Maldivian Foreign Ministers covered issues relating to small island states, and our bilateral relations. Discussions with MDP representatives covered MDP concerns about human rights and limitations on their ability to conduct political activity in the Maldives. [Picture left : Minister for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Rt. Hon. Mike O'Brien]

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the activities of the National Security Service of the Maldives; and what assessment he has made of these activities. [160674]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Maldivian Democratic Party has raised concerns with us regarding the activities of the National Security Service in the Maldives, particularly relating to its role during the civil disturbances in Male' on 19 and 20 September 2003. We continue to monitor reports of human rights abuses in the Maldives, and are considering with our European partners what further action we might take.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of respect for human rights in the Maldives. [160668]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: In December 2003, the Maldives established a Human Rights Commission to protect, promote and preserve human rights in the Maldives. Officials from our high commission in Colombo called on the chair of the commission in January, and expressed to him our concern about reports of human rights abuses in the Maldives. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and are considering with our European partners what further action we might take.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the EU and the Maldives. [160670]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: EU Heads of Mission in Colombo maintain a close interest in the Maldives and many visit regularly. Interest has been heightened in the light of recent events and the reports of human rights abuses.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the current (a) bilateral treaties, (b) agreements and (c) protocols between the British Government and the government of the Maldives. [160671]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The UK has three such agreements with the Maldives: a 1953 Agreement on the Protection of the Islands; a 1976 Exchange of Notes terminating a 1965 agreement relating to military access; and a 1996 Agreement concerning air services.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current Government advice is to British citizens in respect of (a) bilateral trade with and (b) tourism in the Maldives. [160672]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Advice on trade issues is usually tailored to meet particular needs of individual British companies considering business in the Maldives. Travel advice for the Maldives, produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), is available on the FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk. Tourists are advised that while most visits are trouble free, they should take care of their valuables and other personnel possessions. We also draw attention to the fact that possession of drugs carries severe penalties and that public observance of a religion other than Islam is prohibited.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens visited the Maldives in 2003 (a) on official business, (b) on commercial missions and (c) on holiday. [160673]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The total number of foreign visitors to the Maldives in 2003 was 563,593, according to Maldivian Government Statistics. We do not have figures either for British visitors, or for the purposes of visit.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on behalf of prisoners at Maafushi Island Prison in the Maldives. [160675]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Since their formation in exile in November 2003, the Maldivian Democratic Party has raised, with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, human rights issues, including the condition and treatment of prisoners in Maafushi Island Prison.

References : http://www.publications.parliament.uk