Male, February 22 (newsin.asia): The Maldivian government has said that India’s assertion that the extension of the State of Emergency in the country is “unconstitutional” is a “clear distortion of facts.”
A statement issued by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that such statements may hinder the resolution of the crisis in the country.
“It is a clear distortion of facts, which ignores the Constitution and Laws of the Maldives,” the statement added.
“There is no doubt that the Maldives is experiencing one of the most difficult periods in the history of the nation. It is therefore important that friends and partners in the international community, including India, refrain from any actions that could hinder resolving the situation facing the country,” the statement said.
“The Government of Maldives reiterates its firm commitment to work closely with the international community, including India, to address the concerns they might have,” it added.
Giving the background to the crisis in the country, the statement said: “On 5 February 2018, the President declared the State of Emergency under the powers vested in him in Article 253 of the Constitution, pertaining to a Constitutional Crisis, and an imminent threat to national security, upon the advice of the National Security Council. “
“The Supreme Court had cleared the validity of the Emergency in its ruling on 21 February 2018. In its decision to extend the State of Emergency on 20 February 2018, the People’s Majlis (parliament) provided relief by lifting some of the restrictions imposed on Constitutional Articles under the State of Emergency and by imposing the State of Emergency only upon individuals alleged to have carried out illegal activities and in the places they stayed.”
“The Peoples’ Majlis also in its sitting decided to refer the issue to the Supreme Court, for Advisory Opinion, under Article 95 of the Constitution, pertaining to which the Supreme Court has issued an Order to implement the State of Emergency, till the Court issues a verdict on the issue.”
“Other than implementing the necessary measures stated in the Decree imposing the State of Emergency, it ensures no other restriction on the daily lives of the people and provides protection to the citizens living in the Maldives, to foreign workers and to those visiting the country.”
President Abdulla Yameen, on 5 February 2018, declared a State of Emergency by Presidential Decree No. 2018/3, under Article 253 of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
As per the Presidential Decree, the State of Emergency was enforced in order to protect the peace and wellbeing of all citizens, and the country, and to facilitate investigations following the events that unfolded in relation to the Supreme Court Order No. SC-SJ/01/2018, issued on 1 February 2018, which resulted in the disruption of the functions of the executive power and the State institutions vested with specific mandates under the Constitution, the infringement of national security and public interest, and if implemented, would potentially lead to an undermining of the supremacy of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.”
“Despite the declaration of the state of emergency, there will be no enforcement of a curfew; and general movements, services and businesses will not be affected,” the statement said.
(The featured image at the top shows Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen with his supporters)
