Maldives leaders may face European Union travel ban soon

The first international sanctions hit Maldives on Monday, with the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union announcing they would take further “restrictive measures” against political leaders in Maldives, which could lead to travel bans and “asset freeze” of those considered close to the President.

In a statement, the EU said they had adopted sanctions against “persons and entities responsible for undermining the rule of law or obstructing an inclusive political solution in the Maldives as well as persons and entities responsible for human rights violations.”

The EU decision put out in a statement said, “if the situation does not improve, to impose a travel ban and an asset freeze on relevant individuals and entities.”


The EU statement echoes the sentiments expressed by India earlier in July calling for a return to democracy. It is feared, the way the Abdulla Yameen government is headed the forthcoming elections would see him as the sole candidate for the presidency.

Sources said EU and India have been coordinating closely in their approach to Maldives. In a recent statement, the MEA criticised the Yameen government for announcing polls — “We have urged the government of Maldives to return to the path of democracy and ensure credible restoration of the political process and the rule of law, before the elections are conducted. It is important that a conducive atmosphere is created for holding free and fair elections in the Maldives.” Similar coordination is also evident between India and the US with regard to Maldives.


However, India has not announced any sanctions or punitive economic measures against Maldives.

The Modi government feels burned by its actions in Nepal, with the 2015 blockade against the Nepali constitution affected the people significantly, eroding a lot of India’s goodwill. Though the blockade ultimately pushed Nepal to make certain changes in the constitution that resulted in the first Madhes-ruled provinces in the Terai, India believed the cost.