UN Security Council to take up Maldives crisis

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The United Nations Security Council will on Thursday discuss the crisis in the Maldives after the president declared a state of emergency in the Indian Ocean island, diplomats said.

During a closed-door meeting, the council will hear a report by the UN political affairs department, which asked the top UN body to take up the matter, diplomats said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged the government of the Maldives to lift the state of emergency imposed by President Abdulla Yameen whose security forces stormed the Supreme Court.

Former Maldivian president and presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed casts his vote at a local polling station in Male, Sept. 7, 2013. ‍/VCG Photo

Maldives' Supreme Court had ordered the release from jail of former president and opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed and eight other political prisoners, but on Tuesday it rescinded the order.

Nasheed risks re-arrest if he returns as promised to run against Yameen in presidential elections due later this year.

Timeline to catch up with the Maldives crisis

Late 2017

Opposition failed to topple Yameen through parliament vote. Yameen suspended the sessions and sealed off the building.

Jan. 29, 2018

Opposition signed petition asking Supreme Court to remove the president and to investigate corruption allegations.

Feb. 1

The Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of Nasheed and eight other opposition leaders but ordered new trials. Yameen refused to adhere to the ruling.

Feb. 5

Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency, ordered security forces into the Supreme Court and arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Maldives police arrested Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another Supreme Court judge.

Feb. 6

The Maldivian Supreme Court revoked its landmark ruling issued last week ordering the release of nine opposition leaders including self-exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed.

President's Office said the government welcomed the court's revision.

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen and Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz are seen prior to their meeting at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 04, 2016. /VCG Photo

UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Wednesday accused Yameen of trying to destroy democracy.

"The suspension of several functions of the judiciary and Parliament, and the restrictions on a series of constitutional rights, create a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president," said Zeid.

"What is happening now is tantamount to an all-out assault on democracy."

(With input from AFP)

Source(s): Reuters