Commonwealth

Reports of the Commonwealth Observer Group

Maldives Presidential Election

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“On 7 February, President Nasheed resigned from office in contested circumstances. In accordance with the Constitution, Vice President Waheed was sworn in as President. President Waheed subsequently formed a ‘Unity Government’, which comprised all political parties except MDP. (MDP had turned down President Waheed’s offer of three cabinet positions.)”

 

“The following day, on 8 February, former President Nasheed stated that he had been forced to resign, and large demonstrations by MDP supporters took place in reaction. Violence broke out in Malé and Addu, and arson attacks on government buildings were allegedly committed by protestors in Addu. Some police officers are alleged to have reacted with excessive force, with some MDP members having been subject to police brutality according to the subsequent findings of the Police Integrity Commission.

 

On 1 March, the Commonwealth Secretary-General appointed Sir Donald McKinnon as his Special Envoy to Maldives, with the objective of promoting the consolidation of democratic culture and institutions in Maldives, as well as Commonwealth values and principles.

 

The political environment remained highly strained for some time. MDP street protests against the Waheed Government took place on a regular basis, with members of Unity Government parties and the police complaining of continued harassment and intimidation by MDP supporters. MDP complained of alleged excessive use of force by police against protesters and complained of charges brought against MDP politicians.”

 

“Given former President Nasheed’s assertion that he had been forced to resign under duress, a Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) was established to examine the events surrounding the transfer of power. On 29 August, the Commission reported its main finding that “the change of President in the Republic of Maldives on 7 February 2012 was legal and constitutional”. It also stated that “there were acts of police brutality on 6, 7 and 8 February 2012 that must be investigated and pursued further by the relevant authorities”… Former President Nasheed initially accepted the CoNI Report “with reservations”. However, in January 2013, the Majlis Executive Oversight Committee, in which MDP has a majority, sought to review the CoNI Report.”

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Header: Commonwealth welcomes Maldives Commission of National Inquiry Report

Sub-Header: London, 30 August 2012 - Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today welcomed the release of the Report of the Commission of National Inquiry in Maldives.

 

Recalling that the Commission had been reconstituted through the good offices of his Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon, to make it a more widely representative and generally acceptable body, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation to the Commission members for their efforts to conduct an objective and credible inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power in Maldives on 7 February 2012.

 

Referring to the resignation of one member of the Commission, Mr Ahmed Saeed, on the eve of the Report’s release, the Secretary-General said it was unfortunate that Mr Saeed felt he must dissociate himself from the findings of the Commission.

 

Mr Sharma said: “I commend the members of the Commission for the intensive work they did to produce the report. I urge all concerned to respect the findings of the Commission so that, moving forward, all actions and reactions reflect the sense of responsibility and restraint necessary in the best national interest. I also note the report identifies a number of important issues that need to be addressed regarding the basic institutions of democratic governance, notably the rule of law and administration of justice, the People’s Majlis (Parliament), and the media. This report provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to reflect calmly and carefully, and find a way forward based on dialogue, consensus and reconciliation. The task ahead for all Maldivians must be to strengthen democracy in the Maldives. An atmosphere of peace and public order is essential for that to happen.

 

The Secretary-General added: “Nation-building and institution-building are complex and long-term processes. I am convinced that through genuine dialogue and commitment, Maldives can build a foundation on which to advance both democracy and development. The Commonwealth will remain a willing partner in that quest. To this end, I have requested Sir Donald to visit Maldives again in the coming days to explore how the Commonwealth can assist Maldives to move forward in a peaceful and consensual manner, and how democratic institutions can be further strengthened.”

 

Mr Sharma welcomed President Waheed’s initiative to convene political party talks commencing on 30 August. He said the Commonwealth will continue to remain in regular contact with President Waheed, former President Nasheed and other stakeholders to support constructive dialogue, as well as provide Commonwealth partnership in the strengthening of democratic processes and institutions in Maldives.

 

Kamalesh Sharma

Commonwealth Secretary-General,

London, United Kingdom

30 August 2012

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United States of America

Header: Release of Report by Maldivian Commission of National Inquiry

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The United States welcomes the release of the report of the independent Commission of National Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the February 7 transfer of power in Maldives. The United States commends the Commission co-chairs for their leadership and commitment to a thorough and inclusive investigation and review process.

 

The United States has consistently called for all Maldivians to respect the findings of the Commission of National Inquiry. Now that the Commission has released its report we urge all parties to respect those findings, to exercise restraint, obey the rule of law, and continue to express themselves in a peaceful and nonviolent manner. Now is the time for all parties to work together through dialogue to chart a positive way forward that respects the Maldivian constitution, democratic institutions, human rights, and the will of the Maldivian people

 

Victoria Nuland

State Department Spokesperson

Washington DC, United States of America

30 August 2012

Ref: PRN: 2012/1362

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Header: Press Conference in Malé

(Abridged)

 

I had the opportunity to meet with His Excellency President Waheed, but also with former President Nasheed and his team...

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“I’ve just come here for a very short visit but I had the opportunity to meet with His Excellency President Waheed, but also with former President Nasheed and his team. Then I also had the opportunity to meet with civil society, which is always very very important for us…

 

In all of my meetings today with the leaders I stressed the importance of all the parties working together to develop and act on the needed legislation to both reform and increase the capacity of the judiciary, of the security services, and of independent institutions like the Police Integrity Commission and the Human Rights Commission.

 

In my meeting with the President, I stressed the importance of the security services’ acting in accordance with international standards and doing everything they can to respect human rights.

 

In our view the key now is for all parties to do everything possible to promote dialogue and cooperation, so that the parties can together strengthen Maldivian democracy and prepare the way for next year’s elections.

 

All of you know that I have been following Maldives now since 2006. Your country has come a very, very long way in that period of time. You had your first successful free and fair elections in 2008, and the journey has continued since then. But I think that the conclusions of the Commission of National Inquiry report underlined that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done. I was pleased that everybody I talked to today understands the need to implement those recommendations, and we welcome that. And the United States will be doing what it can to help through our assistance program in many of these endeavors. So we will remain very closely engaged and working with the parties and with partners such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth to help strengthen Maldivian democracy….

 

“the United States welcomes the CoNI Report, and we have urged all parties to respect those conclusions and to now follow through to act on them. Again, I think there appears to be good willingness to do so...”

 

Robert O. Blake, Jr.

Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs

Malé, Maldives

12 September 2012

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United Nations

Header: Secretary-General, Welcoming Commission of Inquiry’s Report on Maldives Power Transfer, Urges Parties to Accept Findings, Begin National Dialogue

 

“The Secretary-General welcomes the release of the report today by the Commission of National Inquiry that has looked into the facts, circumstances and causes of the 7 February transfer of power in the Maldives.

 

“The Commission was reconstituted in June with international assistance and has since been recognized by all parties as a credible inquiry mechanism.  The Secretary-General urges all parties to accept the findings of the Commission and now begin the process of national dialogue aimed at resolving the political problems facing the country.

 

“To that end, he welcomes the start today of high-level political dialogue, and hopes that this leads to national reconciliation and a way of moving forward.  He is concerned at the prospect of renewed political tensions should any side not accept the outcome of the inquiry.  He calls on all parties to exercise maximum cooperation and restraint.

 

“The Secretary-General calls on the parties to respect the Constitution, create a peaceful and transparent environment conducive to dialogue, and take steps to strengthen democratic reform and institutions.

 

“The Secretary-General reaffirms the readiness of the United Nations to extend the necessary support and assistance requested by the parties.”

 

Spokesman for Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations

New York, United States of America

30 August 2012

Ref: SG/SM/14482

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United Kingdom

Header: Foreign Office Minister welcomes Maldives report

Sub-Header: Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt spoke following the publication of the Commission of National Inquiry's report on transfer of power in the Maldives.

 

“We welcome the publication of the Commission of National Inquiry’s report. We commend all parties for their efforts in trying to resolve peacefully difficult issues. The events of the last few months, the Commission of National Inquiry’s report and differing reactions to it are a reminder that Maldives is a new democracy. The central findings of the report will form an important background for the continuing development of Maldives’ democracy, institution building and administration of justice. We now urge all parties to begin work on this task through all party dialogue and to look ahead to full participation in free and fair elections. The UK and its international partners will continue to support such progress.”

 

Rt Hon Alistair Burt

Minister, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London, United Kingdom

1 September 2012

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