Maldives Questions in UK Parliament :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

UK Parliamentary Questions

Will the British government seize the assets of members of the Government of Maldives?

29 November 2005

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will cease all non-humanitarian aid to the Maldives in response to the human rights abuses there. [30907]

Mr. Thomas: We are seriously concerned about the human rights situation in the Maldives. The UK has raised these concerns with the Government of the Maldives, bilaterally and with EU partners and will continue to do so.

The UK provides a small allocation of non-humanitarian aid to the Maldives from the Small Grants Scheme.
The UK has no current plans to cease this non-humanitarian aid to the Government of the Maldives. Such actions are most appropriate where existing efforts at dialogue and co-operation are not able to lever positive progress. We note recent moves from the Government of the Maldives to establish dialogue with all political parties and we look forward to seeing early progress on democratic reform.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will (a) freeze the bank accounts and (b) seize the assets of members of the Government of the Maldives in response to human rights abuses. [30906]

Dr. Howells: I have been asked to reply.
The Government has no current plans to impose sanctions, such as the freezing of assets and bank accounts, or travel bans against members of the Government of the Maldives. Sanctions are most appropriate where existing efforts at dialogue and co-operation are not able to lever positive progress. We note recent moves from the Government of the Maldives to establish dialogue with all political parties. We look forward to seeing early progress on democratic reform.

We are, however, seriously concerned about the human rights situation in the Maldives. We continue to raise those concerns, including in September when the British High Commissioner in Colombo accredited to the Maldives did so personally with President Gayoom. The High Commissioner and his deputy also separately made representations to the Maldivian Foreign Minister in late October. We will continue to do so.