Maldives situation an all-out assault on democracy: UNHRC

After UN chief Antonio Guterres slammed the Maldives government, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights in a statement said the current turn of events in Maldives creates a “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president.”

Maldives president President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day national emergency this week after weeks of turmoil as the Supreme Court ordered release of nine imprisoned opposition politicians, maintaining that their trials were "politically motivated and flawed".

Yameen refused to free the prisoners instead the government's riot police stormed the country's top court and arrested several judges including the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.

Later, Maldives authorities arrested several top Opposition leaders including ex-president Abdul Gayoom.

“The Maldives have seen in recent years attacks on political opponents, on journalists, on civil society and human right defenders, and what is happening now is tantamount to an all-out assault on democracy,” Zeid said.

Zeid said the Maldives government should call off the emergency and raised concerns over the arrest of Chief Justice Abdula Saeed and Supreme Court judge Judge Ali Hameed.

On Wednesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres asked the Maldives president uphold the Constitution even as the Supreme Court revoked its earlier order to release political prisoners.