Europe likely to halt flights to Maldives to ensure return to democracy

The global pressure mounting on the Maldivian government seems to escalate further with reports suggesting that European airlines may halt flights to the island country. Germany's ambassador's to Sri Lanka tweeted out suggesting the same.

In his tweet, Joern Rohde noted, "We hear big airline carriers from Europe will suspend their Maldives flight for the summer season.” Rohde reasoned that despite the lifting of the state of emergency by the Yameen government, “democratic rights remain curtailed as MPs remain jailed on politically motivated prosecutions. The economy and thus the people suffer since tourists continue to stay away.”

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Rohde further added that the only way for the Maldives to return to a state of stability is by turning back to democracy. He added that the country's otherwise "wonderful" and "positive" image has now been tarnished "by the ongoing undermining of democratic rights.”

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Thursday lifted the 45-day State of Emergency that he imposed on February 5.

Yameen imposed a state of emergency on February 5 for 15 days to annul a February 1 Supreme Court ruling that quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders and ordered his government to free those held in prison.

He later extended the state of emergency for another 30 days with parliament approval, a move challenged by the opposition.

Under the emergency, Yameen’s administration arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge, and a Supreme Court administrator on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government. They have all rejected the charges.