Reference No: 93/08/2012
3August 2012

MDP Parliamentary Group Reassures Commitment to Meaningful Talk

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) expresses grave concern for the indefinite suspension of Parliament sessions and calls on all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue to restore calm and order in the Parliament.

Following disputes in the Parliament and the forceful removal of two MDP MPs from the Parliament Chambers on 31 July, the Speaker Hon. Abdulla Shahid decided to suspend the sittings of the Parliament indefinitely citing that “an atmosphere of calm, necessary to conduct sittings could not be assured”

The MDP continues to express concern regarding the dysfunction of Parliament since its opening on 19 March.

The MDP strongly believes the Parliament must deliver on its mandate and public service must be its utmost priority. In this regard, the MDP’s Parliamentary Group is willing to cooperate with the administration given, Dr. Mohamed Waheed and leaders of political parties represented in the Parliament commit to meaningful political talks to agree on the way forward from the Maldives’ current political crisis. The MDP is of the view that in the absence of such talks, unproductive Parliament sessions are a mockery in a background where impunity and lawlessness have become the norm.

ENDS.

Hamid Abdul Ghafoor
Spokesperson, International Affairs
Mobile: +9607778285
Tel: +9603340044