PGA is deeply concerned at the arrest on 12th March, 2016 in a place of worship of its longstanding member in The Maldives, Hon. Ahmed Mahloof MP and his subsequent placing under house arrest.

PGA calls for openness, transparency and full observance of the rule of law in this matter.  

The Republic of the Maldives - a Member State of the United Nations and a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 2006 - is under an international obligation to ensure the free exercise of Civil and Political Rights by any individual under its jurisdiction, including Members of Parliament, whose freedom of expression and assembly must be carefully preserved in order to ensure the proper functioning of democracy, including dissent.

PGA therefore calls for the immediate release from house arrest of Hon. Mahloof, pending any formal legal or judicial determination.