On Monday 16 July, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted a framework for targeted measures against people and entities responsible for undermining the rule of law and obstructing an inclusive political solution in the Maldives, or responsible for serious human rights violations.
"This decision makes it possible, if the situation does not improve, to impose a travel ban and an assets freeze on relevant individuals and entities", the Council stated in a press release.
The Council had threatened sanctions on the Maldives in the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council on 26 February (see EUROPE 11969), considering that "the situation was not in accordance with the principles of democratic rule and the separation of powers". In early February, President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency and the Supreme Court reversed its decision to release several political opponents and to reintegrate 12 parliamentarians who had been removed from their mandate for having defected from the presidential party.
In its February conclusions, the Council had also called on the government of the Maldives to engage with the leaders of the opposition in a genuine dialogue that paves the way for credible, transparent and inclusive presidential elections. These elections are planned for 23 September, but the two main opponents to the president are either in prison or in exile. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)