“[The wording is] in conflict with some international obligations Maldives has already signed up for,” Blake said, in a probable reference to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which enshrines freedom of religion.
The clause is one of 200 issues identified as potentially needing amendment, in a review by the attorney general’s office (AGO) prior to finalisation of the constitution.
A group from the US House Foreign Relations Committee who visited Maldives in February were also rumoured to have spoken to government on the issue, whilst a 2005 international religious freedom report by the committee said that “freedom of religion remains severely restricted” in Maldives.
“The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights,” the report added.
However as the new constitution was developed, the Special Majlis (constitutional assembly) voted to amend wording on citizenship from the current constitution, to add the words: “A non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives.”
Information minister Mohamed Nasheed said on his personal blog that this wording “will operate to take away the citizenship from citizens of Maldives who may have a faith different from Islam.”
The existing constitution stipulates individuals must be Muslim in order to vote in elections, but not in order to be a citizen.
Blake said on Tuesday the US had discussed the new wording with Maldivian ministers. “The government is aware of the inconsistency, and exploring how to resolve that,” he said, adding: “I would reiterate that we believe very strongly in freedom of religion.”
Of the 200 issues raised by the AGO, the citizenship wording is one of around ten “policy issues” over which “discussions are going on in government”.
Along with the other issues, these will be discussed by a reduced version of the constitutional drafting committee before suggestions for amendments are considered by the Special Majlis.
It is believed the wording, if retained, could affect children of Maldivians with non-Muslims as well as those who choose to change their religion.
But Nasheed said on his blog, “It will be very difficult for Maldives mentality to accept Maldives citizens may belong to a different faith. It will be seen as an offense to the state of Maldives and an insult to being Maldivian, thus demanding serious reprisal.”
Therefore, he added, “No Maldives leader would want to rock the boat” by advocating a change to the wording.
Courtesy: Judith Evans, Minivan News
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