Statement on passing of the defamation bill in Maldives
皇冠体育app British High Commission issued the following statement on passing of the defamation bill by the parliament in Maldives.
皇冠体育app passing of the defamation bill this week by parliament in the Maldives is a serious setback for freedom of expression in the country. Freedom of expression and the right to information are fundamental in free and democratic societies. 皇冠体育app broadly defined restrictions and severe penalties set out in the bill fall short of widely accepted international standards, as well as the core values affirmed in the Commonwealth Charter.
皇冠体育app United Kingdom continues to urge the President and the Government of the Maldives, with the judiciary, to take positive action to reverse steps taken and decisions made that weaken democratic rights and safeguards, and to uphold the freedoms and constitutional rights of the Maldivian people.