To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the treatment of opposition activist detainees in the Maldives. (105343)

We have received no reliable information on the treatment of detainees. However, we are concerned at reports that at least 120 Maldivian Democratic Party activists have been detained in recent weeks, 20 of whom may now have been released. We call on the Maldivian Government to resolve promptly the cases of those still held in detention through due process and with regard for their human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Government of the Maldives on (a) human rights, (b) freedom of expression and (c) the right to peaceful assembly. (105345)

In Male on 2-3 December, our high commissioner accredited to Maldives, but resident in Colombo, raised our concerns with President Gayoom, the Foreign Minister, and senior Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leaders, and during an address to the MDP National Council. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials also discuss such issues with the Maldivian Government. Most recently senior officials met with the Foreign Minister, Dr. Shaheed in London on 1 December.

We are concerned about human rights in Maldives, which acceded to the UN International Convention on Civil and Political Rights on 19 September 2006. We continue to underline to the Maldivian Government that all allegations of human rights violations must be effectively investigated. We trust that the recently reconstituted Human Rights Commission of Maldives will be appropriately empowered and resourced todo so.