Expect Maldives will not extend emergency beyond today: MEA

The country declared a state of Emergency on Feb 5.

It will end today.

"The State of Emergency declared in Maldives on 5 February 2018 comes to an end this evening. It is our expectation that the Government of Maldives will not be seeking extension of the State of Emergency so that the political process in Maldives can resume with immediate effect," the MEA said in a statement.

"After the revocation of the Emergency, democratic institutions including the judiciary should be allowed to function independently and in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the Constitution. The order issued by the Supreme Court of Maldives on 1 February 2018 should be implemented in letter and spirit," it said.

India said it was important that Maldives quickly returned to the path of democracy.

"It is important that Maldives quickly returns to the path of democracy and the rule of law so that the aspirations of Maldivian people are met and the concerns of the international community are assuaged," the MEA said.

Denouncing the detention of two Supreme Court judges in the Maldives, United Nations human rights experts earlier warned that the independence of the judiciary is under “serious threat” in the country, as is the principle of separation of powers between the State and the courts.

“It is clear that the rule of law in the Maldives is now under siege,” said the experts in a news release issued Monday by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

“We call on the Government to refrain from any threats or interference that may hamper the court’s independence as the supreme guardian of the country’s constitution and legislation,” they added.