Maldives: Ex-President Nasheed banned from elections

Event

On April 16, the government of the Maldives dismissed a demand from the UN Human Rights Committee to allow former President Mohamed Nasheed to stand for office, including in the presidential election scheduled for later this year. As such, supporters of Nasheed could hold protests in the capital Malé, as they have done in recent months. Any pro-Nasheed rallies would be opposed by the government and risk being violently dispersed by security forces. 

Context

Nasheed served as the first democratically elected president of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012, before being forced to resign "at gunpoint." Following criminal charges in 2015, Nasheed fled to the United Kingdom, where he remains in exile. Amnesty International has described the conviction as "politically motivated."

Advice

Individuals present in the Maldives, notably Malé, are advised to avoid all public gatherings and rallies as they may turn violent, keep abreast of the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.