EU delegation arrives in Maldives amidst crisis

Male Feb 8 (IANS) A special delegation from the European Union (EU) has arrived in the Maldives amid the ongoing political crisis in the country.

The EU delegates met the opposition leaders and heard their concerns regarding the current developments. The delegation also met the leaders of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives en.mihaaru.com reported on Thursday.

No further details regarding the meetings were revealed.

Following President Abdulla Yameen s imposition of a state of emergency there was a chorus of international concern. India Sri Lanka the US UK and Germany had called the Maldivian government to immediately implement the February 1 Supreme Court ruling to release exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed and nine other high-profile political prisoners.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra ad Al Hussein termed the Maldives state of emergency an "all-out assault on democracy".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed to the government to lift the emergency.

--IANS
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