Colombo, Oct 28 (IANS): The Maldives' ruling party is engaged in a war of words with the opposition for allegedly using international organisations to influence the Supreme Court trial of a human rights group, a media report said Tuesday.

The Supreme Court in September charged the independent Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) with undermining the constitution and sovereignty of the Maldives by criticising the judiciary in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report to the UN Human Rights Council.

The court denounced the HRCM's statement as "dangerous," " irresponsible", and poorly researched.

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has slammed the opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) for what it sees as attempts to criticise the Supreme Court, Xinhua reported.

"The MDP in connection with various international organisations is attempting to influence an ongoing court case initiated by the highest judicial authority, the Supreme Court, against the HRCM," the PPM said in a statement.

The MDP and the international community's work harmed Maldivian democracy and negatively impacted the country's tourism, the ruling party said.

Last month, the opposition MDP expressed grave concern over the Supreme Court's charges and accused the court of undermining the constitution.

The HRCM trial is the second suo moto case in the country's history. The first in March this year saw the Supreme Court sack the Election Commission's president and vice president for contempt of court.