EU Concludes Visit to the Maldives

EU Fact Finding Mission - Concludes their Visit to the Maldives

Male’, Tuesday 24 August 2004 – The European Union Fact Finding Mission to the Maldives has concluded their visit and returned to Sri Lanka this afternoon. During their stay, the Government had facilitated access to all meetings that the Mission had requested.

The EU Fact Finding Mission to the Maldives was made up of staff of the British, Dutch and French embassies in Colombo, and a member of the EC delegation to the Maldives.

“The Government has implemented numerous reforms in the criminal justice system and to ensure that prisoners are treated well. We would welcome visits by organisations like Amnesty International or the International Red Cross to verify prison conditions and treatment of detainees”, the Chief Government Spokesman, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed said today.

In other developments, the Police Headquarters reports that they have now released up to 122 persons who were detained in connection with the mob violence of 13th August.

Notes to Editors:

• The official press release of 13 August 2004 on the mob violence can be viewed on the official website of the President’s Office, on http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv.

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