Persisting with its displeasure over the extension of emergency in the Maldives by 30 days, India said on 22 February that it does not see a valid reason for the Maldivian parliament to do so, and maintained that it continues to watch the situation in the island nation.
We do not see any valid reason for doing so. We, of course, continue to watch the situation and would continue to urge the government of Maldives to release political prisoners, release the chief justice, implement the Supreme Court order and restore the normal functions of the institutions of democracy,Raveesh Kumar, Spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry
The state of emergency in trouble-torn Maldives was on, 20 February extended by 30 days after Parliament approved a request by President Abdulla Yameen, Reuters reported.
The Maldivian Parliament approved the 30-day extension of the state of emergency sought by President Abdulla Yameen, who cited an ongoing national security threat and constitutional crisis.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs cautioned the Maldivian government against the extension, on 21 February.
The ministry has also asked the Maldivian government to implement its Supreme Court order of 1 February, regarding the release of exiled former leader Mohamed Nasheed and eight others, in “letter and spirit”.
Deputy Speaker of People's Majlis, MP Moosa Manik confirmed the decree was approved by the Committee during a meeting on Sunday, held behind closed doors.
The Committee approved the decree, and well as the request for a 30-day extension to the State of Emergency, he said.
A total of 38 MPs voted to accept the decree and forward it to the National Security Committee for evaluation.
Former president Mohamed Nasheed, who is in exile, said on 20 February that the government could not extend the emergency without 43 votes, Reuters reported.
The Maldivian Parliament said it passed the extension to the emergency under a procedure that does not require a quorom and it sought an opinion on the matter from the Supreme Court, Reuters added.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, leader of the opposition coalition's parliamentary group, said: "This state of emergency is illegal .... Yameen has, in effect, hijacked the entire state and is ruling the Maldives like a military dictator."
President Yameen declared the emergency on February 5 after the Supreme Court ordered the release of a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. Among them was exiled ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. The court said his 2015 trial had been unconstitutional.
Under the emergency law, Yameen had two Supreme Court judges arrested, accusing them of corruption. Later, the remaining three judges annulled the order to release Yameen's opponents.
(With inputs from Reuters and PTI)
(The Quint, in association with BitGiving, has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an 8-month-old who was raped in Delhi on 28 January 2018. The baby girl, who we will refer to as 'Chhutki', was allegedly raped by her 28-year-old cousin when her parents were away. She has been discharged from AIIMS hospital after undergoing three surgeries, but needs more medical treatment in order to heal completely. Her parents hail from a low-income group and have stopped going to work so that they can take care of the baby. You can help cover Chhutki's medical expenses and secure her future. Every little bit counts. Click here to donate.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)