����̽��

Parliament is the heart of a democracy. ����̽�� finds it unacceptable that the State Opening of the Majlis of Maldives has been disrupted, and the offices of the President and Speaker have been seriously disrespected.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma announced today the appointment of the Rt Hon Sir Donald McKinnon as his Special Envoy to Maldives, following consultations with political leaders in Maldives.

����̽�� Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in extraordinary session in London today to consider its response to the situation in Maldives.

Ministers to discuss findings of ministerial mission

Departure statement by CMAG ministerial mission

Arrival statement of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to Maldives

A Commonwealth ministerial mission is due to arrive in the Maldives capital, Malé, on 17 February to ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power last week in the South Asian state.

Peaceful and well organised election with an impressive turn-out, but democratic reforms must be urgently pursued

Extraordinary Teleconference of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)

Statement by the Chair on behalf of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) regarding the situation in the Republic of Maldives.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma spoke to President Mohamed Waheed and former President Mohamed Nasheed on 9 February 2012.

A Secretariat team has arrived in Maldives to explore how the Commonwealth can respond to the country’s urgent priorities

"The ����̽�� welcomes the invitation of the Government of Maldives to assist in addressing its current challenges. A Secretariat delegation will visit Maldives shortly for discussions with key interlocutors"

Report of CMAG as adopted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, 2011

“We welcome and encourage the commitment of Pakistan and indeed all 54 member governments to the values and principles which have made the Commonwealth unique and widely respected” - Kamalesh Sharma

����̽�� also welcomes the announcement of national consultations on a new constitution commencing in February 2012

Final Report

Many benchmarks for democratic elections were met, though shortcomings remain to be addressed

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on 19 December 2011 welcomed the Sri Lankan Government’s release of the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

"Final results still awaited but up to now the process has been well managed and generally peaceful. Some concerns regarding aspects of the campaign but overall the election represents further progress for Guyana"

Despite peaceful and technically sound elections democratic reforms are needed.

Arrival Statement

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today announced that a Commonwealth Election Assessment Team will be deployed for the 28 November 2011 elections in Saint Lucia, following an invitation from the Prime Minister, Hon Stephenson King.

Former Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretary-General, the Honourable Denis Marshall QSO, who also served as a minister in the New Zealand government, will lead a 15-member Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) for general and regional elections in Guyana, scheduled to take place on 28 November 2011.

A Commonwealth Expert Team will observe the presidential elections due to take place on 24 November 2011 in The Gambia, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma announced today. The Team has been constituted at the invitation of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia and following a recent high-level political assessment mission to The Gambia led by Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba.