Maldives celebrates its 47th Independence Day; EU delegates met President Waheed; Maldives and Sri Lanka to establish a collaborative mechanism to combat cyber crime; UNHRC issues concluding observations regarding the Maldives’ commitment to universal hum
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • Maldives celebrated its 47th Independence Day on July 26, 2012. 1

    Meanwhile, according to reports, the delegation of the European Union visiting the Maldives for celebrating Maldives’ Independence Day paid a courtesy call on President Dr Mohamed Waheed. At the meeting held at the President’s Office on July 26, 2012, President Waheed briefed the delegation on the current political status of the country, and the measures being taken by the government in stabilising the political climate of the country. At the meeting, members of the EU delegation reassured of their full support and assistance in stabilising the political situation of the Maldives. They also spoke of the crucial need to convene all-party talks, to establish unity, and restore peace and calm in the country. 2

    Reports noted that Maldivian and Sri Lankan authorities are looking to establish a collaborative mechanism with which to try and combat cyber crime committed across the South Asia region. Haveeru on July 24, 2012 quoted an unnamed senior Sri Lankan police official as claiming that the country’s law enforcement agencies were looking to work with counterparts in the Maldives to investigate cyber crimes such as online financial scams that have defrauded internet users around the world. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) has urged the Maldives to guarantee citizens’ right to democracy, permit freedom of religion, reform the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), abolish flogging and the death penalty, and deal with human trafficking, among other recommendations. The Committee has issued its concluding observations regarding the Maldives’ commitment to universal human rights, following the country’s defence of its record in Geneva on July 12-13, 2012. The Maldivian delegation to the UNHRC was headed by Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel, a former Justice Minister during the 30 year rule of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and co-author of a pamphlet entitled ‘President Nasheed’s devious plot to destroy the Islamic faith of Maldivians’, published in January 2012. Dr Jameel was accompanied by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon – Gayoom’s daughter – as well as the Maldives’ Permanent Representative in Geneva, Iruthisham Adam. 4

    Top