POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE MALDIVES

That this House notes with concern the increasing political turmoil in the Maldives following the unexplained killing of Mr Hussain Salah; condemns recent police brutality towards Mohammed Nasheed, Chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party and others; calls upon President Gayoom to exercise restraint in dealing with current unrest and to restart the talks with all opposition parties on constitutional changes as soon as possible; and calls upon the UK Government and the international community to apply maximum pressure upon the government of the Maldives to bring about the peaceful transition to genuine multi-party democracy.