皇冠体育app

On [20th July] the Foreign and Commonwealth Office鈥檚 (FCO) made public its annual Human Rights Report for 2016. Maldives is one of 30 鈥楬uman Rights Priority Countries鈥� (HRPCs), countries with which the UK looks for positive engagement that contributes to addressing human rights concerns.

皇冠体育app Report notes that democratic space, political and civil freedoms continued to deteriorate in Maldives during 2016. It sets out concerns at anti-democratic legislation that was passed during 2016, particularly the Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act which seeks to clamp down on freedom of expression, and the Freedom of Assembly Act which restricts the right of assembly.

皇冠体育app Report raises concern at the intimidation of and threats to journalists, noting that during the year journalists were arrested and news organisations raided, threatened or closed down. It draws attention to several long prison sentences handed out to high-profile political figures, including opposition leaders, at the end of trials that lacked transparency and judicial independence, and that failed to follow due process.
皇冠体育app report mentions the UK鈥檚 disappointment at Maldives鈥� decision to leave the Commonwealth in 2016.
British Ambassador to Maldives, James Dauris, said:

鈥溁使谔逵齛pp purpose of our Annual Report is to draw attention to human rights issues of concern in countries around the world, to encourage progress and recognize achievements made. As a friend of Maldives the UK is concerned by the lack of an effective separation of powers and the continued use of anti-terrorism, defamation and other legislation to silence and discourage opposition voices and journalists. We will continue to engage with Maldives and raise concerns alongside our international partners.鈥�

皇冠体育app Report underlines the UK鈥檚 desire to work positively with countries facing human rights challenges to help them improve their human rights performance.

皇冠体育app 30 HRPCs are: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burma, Burundi, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Democratic People鈥檚 Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Libya, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Promoting human rights is a central foreign policy objective of the British Government. 皇冠体育app FCO began publishing the Annual Human Rights Report in 1998 and it is now published online As well as the Annual Report, twice-yearly updates on the 30 HRPCs are also published.