UK welcomes political dialog between the government and MDP

UK’s Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire has welcomed the political dialogue between the opposition MDP and the Maldivian government, along with the decision to transfer former president Nasheed to home arrest.

Swire said this while answering a question proposed to him at the UK parliament regarding the current conditions of Maldives. He also added that Prime Minister David Cameron has asked for the release of all political criminals including Nasheed.

He said that UK had previously also called for discussion regarding the political situation of Maldives.

“I remain deeply concerned by the situation in the Maldives. On 24 June, my right honorable friend, the Prime Minister, made clear his view that there should be a political dialogue involving all parties to discuss the country’s governance, and that all political detainees, including former President Nasheed, should be released swiftly,” Mr Swire said.

He expressed hopes that there will be a development, thanks to the current ongoing dialogues; and that there are still more concerns regarding the situation in Maldives.

When he was asked if he agrees that Maldives is in a breaching the principles of the Commonwealth charter, and that whether the time is right for the Commonwealth to take action against the Maldives - to bring about the return of the rule of law and the principles of democracy, Mr Swire said that they are not a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. He added that he has discussed these matters with the Commonwealth's Secretary General.