2nd October 2012, Geneva; The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has condemned the killing of MP Afrasheem Ali in the Maldives earlier on Tuesday.
The death is the latest and most tragic act of violence in a country that has been in a political crisis since the start of the year.
Ali, an MP for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), is the first MP to have been killed though constant political tensions in the Maldives have led to many serious outbreaks of violence.
IPU is calling for all violence to end and for all political sides to remain calm.
The Organization is seriously concerned of reports that other MPs are receiving death threats, including through social media channels such as Twitter.
A number of Maldivian MPs are registered with the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians because of the violence, intimidation and political harassment they are suffering. IPU will be monitoring them and following up on developments in Maldives very closely to help ensure their safety.
"IPU is urging that full protection be given to MPs in the light of these developments," says IPU Secretary General Anders B. Johnsson. IPU is also calling for speedy consideration of the Privileges Bill currently before Parliament and on which IPU is providing technical expertise. This bill, when passed by parliament, would provide more legal protection to MPs in performing their duties.
For further information, please contact Jemini Pandya, Tel:+41792173374, Email:
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