Interview: Maldives to lift state of emergency as soon as threat reduced

The Maldives government on Sunday said that state of emergency will be lifted once threat to the country was reduced, and there is no move to curtail freedom of expression in the country as a result of a state of emergency which is now in force.

Maldivian Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon told Xinhua in an interview that any country has a right to defend its national security and that is why Maldives was forced to enforce emergency laws temporarily to curtail a security threat.

"I would like to say to the international organization and countries that as soon as the threat is reduced and the security situation is normalized. I am sure that the emergency will be revoked," she said.

The state of emergency was declared following an explosion on a Presidential boat and the discovery of weapons as well as the arrest of a Sri Lankan sniper believed to have been hired to assassinate the Maldivian President.

The United States, rights groups and the Commonwealth of mostly former British colonies have called on the Maldives to lift the state of emergency and end a crackdown on dissidents.

Dunya Maumoon said that only very limited rights are limited under the state of emergency, and most of the constitutional rights are assured including of the freedom of expression.

"So I think it's important to understand this situation under that the national security treat has been sought. You know this is the first time in Maldives large amount of weaponry was found. It is the first attempt to kill a President. The situation is not normal," she said.

"I think every country should defend its national security. We have seen in many countries a state of emergency being declared including in the United States. It is something we do see around the world the government has to bring it in. They have to do it in the interests of the citizens, and as soon as they can revoke, they will take steps to revoke the situation," she added.

The opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) accused the government of attempting to use the state of emergency to prevent the opposition from being heard.

The foreign minister however said that the move to enforce a state of emergency is not politically motivated or intended to make life difficult for opposition political parties.

She also said that despite the state of emergency, day-to-day activities in the Maldives are continuing unaffected.

Even though some tourists have cancelled their visits to the Maldives as a result of the political developments, the situation in the Maldives now is calm and stable, she said.

"There is no chaos in the country. People's lives and work is going on as usual. Schools are operating and the resorts are very calm. Tourists will not face any difficulties. The government will do everything to ensure the resorts remain peaceful," she said.

"We hope we will be able to overcome this situation very quickly. We are working with other countries including China, European countries and the UK market and we will ensure situation remains stable, " she said.

Asked when she believed the state of emergency will be lifted, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon said that it will be done as soon as the defence and security forces advise the president the security threat is reduced. Enditem