Being included in ministerial action group for democracy is a gold medal to Maldives – Dr Shaheed

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed Shaheed has said that the recent inclusion of Maldives in Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), a group for upholding democracy in countries, was a gold medal to the country. He added that this showed that the government of Maldives was a one acknowledged and recognized by the world.

He also said that this decision was an encouragement to Maldivians who had sacrificed a lot to establish democracy in this country, adding that it should be considered an honor by rest of the people in the country as well.

CMAG is convened by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth with Foreign Ministers from nine member countries. The task of CMAG is to asses the nature of the infringement and recommends measures for collective Commonwealth action aimed at the speedy restoration of democracy and constitutional rule. It also decides to take measures against member nations which infringe democratic principles. One of these measures or penalties include suspension such nations from participating in Commonwealth activities.

The recent country to be suspended from Council’s of the Commonwealth was Fiji. The CMAG decided in 2006 due to the military takeover of Fiji’s democratically elected government, which had a democracy in place. Countries like Zimbabwe had under gone similar suspension.

Dr Shaheed said the inclusion of Maldives in CMAG was such a success it would help to further strengthen constitutional rule in the country.

Reflecting on how some people were calling out to over throw the government, Dr Shaheed said that now there is no excuse or reason for hitting the streets to overthrow the government. He added that people who want to do that would be inviting alienation from international communities.

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