MALDIVES: Maldives Opposition Denies Push For Tourism Boycott

Maldives opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Tuesday denied calling for boycott of the archipelago's tourism.

Speaking during the debate on the bill to criminalise calling for sanctions against the Maldives and boycott of the island nation’s tourism, North-Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla insisted that her party had always pressed for targeted sanctions against government officials who violate human rights in the Maldives.

Throughout history, sanctions have been used against autocratic leaders as a measure of protest by the people, Eva said.

The MP said the bill was in clear violation of the constitution, she added.

The bill submitted by Villufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed deals with direct statements made both in the Maldives and abroad calling for sanctions against the Maldives and boycott of its tourism, or any comment and action that encourages such action. The bill classifies endorsements and statements backing such threats as having had participated in the offence as well.

According to the bill, making any statement both locally and internationally that may create fear among potential visitors to the Maldives is also a crime.

The Maldives, an island nation with virtually no natural resources, depends heavily on its world-famous upmarket tourism for much its revenue. The industry also employs a sizeable majority of its workforce.

The bill allows all those affected by such threats to seek legal action against the perpetrators. If convicted, the person would be sentenced to prison or house arrest for 2-10 years or would face a fine of MVR500,000 to MVR5 million depending on his role.

Those found guilty under the law would also have their business permits revoked. Any allowance or benefit offered by the state to a person convicted under the law would be stopped as well.

The proposal to criminalise calling for sanctions against the Maldives boycott of its tourism has been submitted amid mounting international pressure on the government over the imprisonment of former president Mohamed Nasheed.

The former president’s lawyers have stepped up their efforts to impose targeted sanctions against the Maldives and its leadership, following a UN panel ruling last week declaring his imprisonment as arbitrary.

However, the legal team had refused to rule out pushing for a travel boycott.

"We haven't come out and called for an all-out tourist boycott yet, but at the same time I don't think we would exclude it. Tourists have the power of the purse," human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, wife of Hollywood A-lister George Clooney had said recently.