:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

British Foreign Secretary’s Letter to Gayyoom

Rt. Hon. Jack Straw
British Foreign Secretary

In an email to DO Editor-in-chief, British Foreign & Commonwealth Office today confirmed that the letter was sent in July, in which the Foreign Secretary welcomed the President's speech of 9 June, and the proposals it contained for constitutional reforms. The Foreign Secretary said that many of the proposals are ones that the UK would wholeheartedly endorse, including the right to form and run political parties, the separation of the powers of the head of state from those of an independent judiciary, and equal opportunity for men and women to stand for election as President.

The Foreign Secretary encouraged President Gayoom to ensure that all members of the Special Majlis and members of the public would be able to meet and express their views openly. He also expressed the hope that the media would take the opportunity to lead a balance debate on constitutional reform.

DO is constantly updating the Foreign Office’s South Asia Department and several members of the UK and European Parliament about the news and other events in Maldives. These parties have shown a keen interest in ensuring that the Maldives becomes a fully democratic state where human rights and the rule of law is upheld.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office Website - Maldives section