Resolution to clarify policy change on Chagos issue
Nazim proposed that a special parliamentary committee be set up to clarify the issues.
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Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Maldives National Party (MNP) leader Mohamed Nazim on Sunday submitted a motion to the parliament to confirm whether Maldives changed its stance on the Chagos issue under duress or for bribes.
On Thursday, Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath announced that the Maldives would change its stand and vote in favour of Mauritius at the United Nations. While it has been assured that the decision will not affect the issue of Maldives-Mauritius maritime boundary, some have expressed concern over the need to give up a part of the country's economic zone.
Nazim, who is also MP for Dhangethi constituency, has sought clarification on several issues in the case, which is also criticised by the public.
Nazim's resolution states that there have been instances since 2010 that could have changed the attitude and policy adopted by the state on the issue. He pointed out in his resolution that this "sudden" change in the policy was flawed; and he seeks to clarify the following information:
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Has there been a change in where Maldives stands on the issue
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If there has been a change in stance, what are the reasons surrounding it
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Ensure that it was done within legal framework
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To find out whether money or any other influence was involved in the reversal of the country’s decision
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The damage and benefits the decision will bring to the Maldives
Nazim proposed that a special parliamentary committee be set up to clarify the issues. He asked the committee to look into the matter and ensure people are aware of it all.
Some of the key points highlighted in Nazim's resolution:
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While Article 3 of the Constitution defines the territory of the country, any changes in the territorial area can be effective only if it is passed by at least one-third of the total members of parliament.
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The government had earlier said that the reason why Maldives had earlier voted against Mauritius in international forums on the Chagos case was that if the proposal was passed, there was a possibility of a part of the country's territorial waters being cut off.
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Parliament was not informed that the policy on the matter had changed; the government only informed the Mauritian Prime Minister in August about the reason for such a decision and the government did not share any information about the discussion.
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This indicates that a treaty has been reached between Mauritius and Maldives; while the law says that any such treaty can only be taken with the approval of parliament, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has not fulfilled that legal obligation.
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Since there is a possibility a part of the Maldives' territorial waters will be given up the way this case is settled, the loss of any part of the country's waters will have a profound impact on Maldivian fisheries; the area in question is a fish-rich area.
Mauritius, in its petition to the tribunal, has sought an area of 200 nautical miles from Chagos's Bleinhem Reef to be included within its economic zone. If the tribunal settles in favour of Mauritius, Maldives will have to divide around 96,000 square kilometres of the country's economic zone.
Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim, who is part of the ruling coalition, has also expressed concern over the incident. In his statement, he urged the government to ensure that territory is not lost at the behest of the "elder brother", in an apparent reference to India.
