马尔代夫外交部上周四对外声称，马尔代夫政府已经决定脱离英联邦。

　　The statement by the Foreign Ministry came weeks after the Commonwealth threatened the country with suspension if it failed to show progress in key democratic governance issues by next March.

　　英联邦几周前曾警告马尔代夫，如果明年三月前未能在法治和民主建设方面取得实质性的进展，将暂停该国英联邦成员资格。

　　The Commonwealth seems to be convinced "that the Maldives would be an easy object that can be used, especially in the name of democracy promotion, to increase the organization's own relevance and leverage in international politics," the statement said.

　　一份声明指出，英联邦似乎认为马尔代夫是个很容易利用的国家，尤其是以民主的名义，英联邦可以以马尔代夫为垫脚石，来提高自身在国际政局的影响力。

　　马尔代夫发表声明宣布脱离英联邦

　　Government spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said the Maldives' withdrawal from the 53-state grouping would take effect immediately.

　　政府发言人易卜拉欣·侯赛因·谢哈布表示，马尔代夫的脱离这一拥有53个国家及地区的联邦所带来的影响将会很快显现出来。

　　Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland expressed sadness and disappointment at the decision, and said she hoped it would be a temporary separation.

　　英联邦秘书长帕特里夏·斯科特兰对马尔代夫这个决定表示悲痛和失望，并声称她希望这将只是暂时的分开。

　　Maldives, known for its luxury tourist resorts, became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule.

　　马尔代夫是一个世界闻名的豪华旅游胜地。经过几十年的独裁统治，马尔代夫于2008年成为多党民主制国家。

　　President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been accused of erasing much of the democratic gains since being elected in 2013.

　　而总统阿卜杜拉·亚明被指在2013年当选后一直在破坏民主建设。