Ms. Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives and Mr Toby Cadman, Partner at Omnia Strategy LLP, are holding a joint press conference today, Saturday 27 June 2015, in Male’.
Omnia Strategy LLP is the international law firm chaired by human rights barrister Cherie Blair CBE, QC and has recently been appointed by the Government of Maldives to advise on strengthening the legislative framework as part of the Government’s strategy for democracy consolidation.
Omnia Strategy has carried out a two weeks research mission in Male’ and has been invited to review the current legal and constitutional framework in line with international standards and in particular to assist the Government in preparing a response to the communication filed by former President Nasheed to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary detention.
Regarding the case of former President Nasheed, Toby Cadman said “Former President Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced for ordering the army to arrest the Chief Judge of the Male’ Criminal Court, Judge Abdullah Mohamed. If the offence had occurred in the United Kingdom the former President could have been charged with an offence of kidnapping/false imprisonment, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.”
“Throughout the legal proceedings against former President Nasheed, his constitutional right to effective legal representation has been guaranteed and when his legal representatives boycotted the proceedings, the former President was repeatedly reminded of his right to alternative legal representation”.
Regarding Mr Nasheed’s conditions of detention, Mr Cadman stated: “Former President Nasheed is not in solitary confinement and is detained in a facility that would not only meet international best practices, but arguably far exceed any acceptable level”.
Toby Cadman noted the Government’s continuous commitment to engage with its international partners and with the opposition parties and encouraged an open dialogue and constructive cooperation.
ENDS