The MDP welcomes the resolution by the International Democratic Union IIDU) calling on the government of Maldives to free former president Mohamed Nasheed, other political prisoners and to engage in sincere political dialogue with all political parties.

The IDU, an association for centre right political parties, passed a resolution on the 26 February 2015, in Colombo, expressing concern regarding the increasing intensity of President Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s cracks down on political opponents and human rights defenders in the country. The IDU also expressed concern with growing danger of terrorism in the Maldives.

The MDP urges the Government of the Maldives to heed the IDU’s call for an immediate and credible inquiry to address public and international concerns regarding the allegations of corruption and money laundering.

The IDU also noted with concern the harassment of media and civil society and the lack of political space for the political opposition, the increasing politicization of the judiciary and the lack of independence for democratic institutions.

While welcoming the Government of Maldives’ decision to allow President Nasheed to travel and the invitation to political dialogue, the IDU reiterated its call on the Maldivian authorities to review the sentence of terrorism on President Nasheed so that he may return to the country without again risking arbitrary detention.

The MDP welcomes the IDU ‘s call on the Maldivian government to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including political party leaders, as a gesture of sincerity so that a meaningful political dialogue can take place, and noted that the Talks must be time- bound, multi- party dialogue, and the MDP agrees with the IDU’s call on the United Nations to reengage in the Maldives in order to assist the country in returning to democracy and the rule of law.

The IDU resolution reiterated its support for the call by President Nasheed’s legal team for targeted travel bans and foreign asset freezes to be imposed on select individuals who have perpetuated human rights abuses.

The meeting of the Executive Committee of the IDU was attended by the Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremasinghe, Ram Madhav, the National General Secretary of BJP and 61 other officials from political parties arpund the world. The MDP was represented by Honourable MP Mariya Ali Did, Deputy Chairman of the party Ali Shiyam, International Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor and National Council Member Omar Razak.