Hugo Swire was particularly fond of the Maldives during his time as Foreign Officer minister and made many tweets about its political situation and hope for future relations:
“The Maldives has withdrawn from the Commonwealth, accusing it of interfering in domestic affairs and “unfair and unjust” treatment.
The Commonwealth had warned the Maldives of possible suspension if it failed to show progress on democracy.
It has faced questions over freedom of speech, the detention of opponents and the independence of the judiciary.
The Indian Ocean nation became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule.
The Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement: “The decision to leave the Commonwealth was difficult, but inevitable.
“Regrettably, the Commonwealth has not recognised progress and achievements that the Maldives accomplished in cultivating a culture of democracy in the country and in building and strengthening democratic institutions.”
It said that President Abdulla Yameen’s government had introduced a raft of measures promoting human rights and strengthening the rule of law.” …
East Devon Watch 