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“Big Challenge for Maldives Government is to Live Upto People’s Expectations of Democratic Reform” – Dutch Ambassador Susan Blankhart

Minivan Radio spends 15 Minutes with Her Excellency Susan Blankhart, the Dutch Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives

As Britain takes over the presidency of the European Union, Minivan News asks the outgoing Dutch Ambassador – who headed EU-Maldives negotiations over the last six months – about her assessment of the recent political events in the Maldives.

MR: In September 2004, following the August 12-13th crack-down by the Maldivian authorities, the European Parliament voted unanimously for European Union member states to impose sanctions on the Maldives. Would it be fair to say this represented the lowest point in Maldives-EU relations in recent years?

SB: Well, it depends how you look upon that. Maybe its not the lowest point in the Maldives-EU relations because the EU showed real engagement about what was happening in the Maldives so in that sense you could also say this was the starting point of an engagement and interest of the European Union in what is happening in the Maldives.

Of course, it was only a suggestion of the European Parliament for a number of measures to be taken but subsequently we saw more positive developments.

MR: On December 31st President Gayoom decided to drop the charges against those who were arrested in August. Did this decision move EU sanctions off the political agenda?

SB: Yes. We noted the dropping of the charges with a great sense of relief. But for the European Union wherever we are, in whichever country, human rights issues remain very much on the political agenda so we will closely monitor the developments to come in the next year.

MR: This year there have been a number of political reforms in the Maldives. How much further down the road to democracy is the EU looking for President Gayoom to travel?

SB: Well, we think that the coming year is a very crucial period. There are a lot of expectations with the people. People have a broad knowledge nowadays on democracy and democratic reforms, a large knowledge, in general, on human rights. The expectations are there and I think now for the government there is a big challenge to manage these expectations and to also live upto the expectations of the people in regards to the democratic reforms they are expecting now.

MR: What specific changes is the EU particularly interested to see in the Maldives?

SB: Well, we look at the general conventions that have been written and have been accepted by the Maldives. The general convention on human rights, political rights… transparency. So we hope that the Maldivian government can live upto all these different elements of the human rights conventions which are in existence.

MR: Is the EU concerned about the reports of a recent custodial death (Muaviath Mahmood) and allegations of police torture, for instance of Maaish Mohamed?

SB: Well, in general the European Union is very much monitoring any human rights abuses all over the world so also in this case we are looking at this issue.

MR: Have you always found the Maldivian government an easy partner to work with over the last six months?

SB: Well, over the last six months we experienced a very constructive dialogue with the government and we have felt a real sense of urgency with the government – a sense of willingness to come to democratic reforms. So in that sense it has been a good partner to work with because we are both I think having the same expectations towards democratic reform.

MR: Is EU policy vis à vis the Maldives likely to change significantly as Britain takes over the Presidency of the EU from the Netherlands?

SB: Britain will take over the local presidency of the European Union as of the 1st of July. The Maldives have been very much discussed within the European Union… [changes] are unlikely because we have always acted as a European Union. We didn’t act as the Netherlands government but as the European Union so we acted on a consensus approach.

Listen to Susan Blankhart’s Interview

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15 Minutes with Philip Frayne of the US Embassy in Colombo

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Philip Frayne, Public Affairs Officer for the US Embassy in Colombo. Here are some extracts from the interview, which you can also listen to in full by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
Philip Frayne stated that the United States is interested in what goes on in a small country such as the Maldives: “we are interested in what happens in the Maldives because we think it is a country with great potential” he said.
Touching on the recent political events, Frayne stated that the United States is “encouraged by the recent political opening that we have seen, the registration of the MDP for example, was an encouraging sign. We are encouraged by recent statements made by President Gayoom.”
Frayne also outlined some of the work the US government has been doing to improve relations and increase understanding between the people of the United States and the Maldives.
A number of exchange programmes have been established he said, and a recently established Fullbright scholarship programme – where scholars in the US come to study the Maldives and Maldivians go to America – was “to continue”.
Also, an international visitor study programme is to start between Maldives and United States, where 6-8 Maldivians will go to the United States to study different aspects of American society and politics – including grass-roots activism, literature, volunteerism, and the media.
America is also working on the cultural front. “In April, we had an American Blues Quartet [play in Male’] and we were very pleased about how that turned out… I think it was the first time a live professional Blues group has performed in the Maldives” he said.
We also recently had a photography exhibit of roadside architecture in the National Library which gave Maldivians a slice of American culture that you don’t normally get.”
“In September, we are planning for the Maldivian-American Friendship Week and in that week we hope to have some more live music but we will also have a trade show with emphasis on bilateral trade and we may have educational seminars… about study opportunities in the US and possibly a cooking demonstration of American cuisine and a military visit by an American ship. The week will emphasis the friendship and deepening ties we are developing between the United States and the Maldives.”
“We also recently got funding for a cultural preservation project in Male’. The oldest mosque in Male’ – the Eid Mosque – is in need of restoration and preservation and we got a grant from the State Department [Foreign Ministry of the US government] to help in that preservation… and that work should get started sometime this year.”
When asked how America pursues the democratizing policies of its President in the Maldives, Frayne said:
“We had made a statement from the State Department last year after the August disturbances in Male’ after which a lot of people were arrested and we came out with a statement saying that we have serious concerns over the people arrested. In our visits to the Maldives we did visit some of those prisoners while they were imprisoned or under house arrest. We kept very close track of that and we made our concerns known to the government in the Maldives. So we try and do it through public statements but also through private diplomacy urging the government to open up.”
“America promotes democracy, freedom of expression and a pluralistic media everywhere [in the world]” he further said, also pointing out a speech delivered by Condelezza Rice in Cairo last week:
“She was fairly critical of the Egyptian government – a long time very close ally of the United States. And yet here she was in the middle of Cairo giving a speech saying that the Egyptian government needs to lead the way in democratization in the Middle East with their upcoming Presidential Elections. So I wouldn’t say this is an exclusive concern in the Maldives or anywhere else but one of the priorities of the Bush administration, if not the leading priority, is to promote democracy throughout the world.”
He further outlined that achieving peace and stability under democratic governments was the objective of the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan and said the “preservation of human rights has been a long-term plank of US foreign policy.”
“I’d like your listeners in the Maldives to understand that we are not taking action against Muslims anywhere. Our actions are not directed against Muslims…One of the things we try to protect are Muslim human rights” he said noting that Saddam killed an estimated 300,000 Muslims in Iraq and the US interventions in the Balkans, Somalia and Afghanistan were for the protection of the rights of Muslims. “Our foreign policy is to protect human rights… we are not anti-Muslim.”
Speaking on the perception of the United States in the Maldives and amongst the ‘democratic forces’ he said: “I think the perception of the United States in the Maldives is pretty good…I can’t speak for opposition or democratic forces in the Maldives…but I think [the perception] is generally pretty good.”
“We like to push for pluralisation and democratization in a friendly conversation with the government of the Maldives. We are not anti-government by any stretch of the imagination but we will when we have concerns – as we did last year –bring it up with the government and let them know clearly that that’s how we feel.”

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Philip Frayne, Public Affairs Officer for the US Embassy in Colombo. Here are some extracts from the interview, which you can also listen to in full by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

Philip Frayne stated that the United States is interested in what goes on in a small country such as the Maldives: “we are interested in what happens in the Maldives because we think it is a country with great potential” he said.

Touching on the recent political events, Frayne stated that the United States is “encouraged by the recent political opening that we have seen, the registration of the MDP for example, was an encouraging sign. We are encouraged by recent statements made by President Gayoom.”

Frayne also outlined some of the work the US government has been doing to improve relations and increase understanding between the people of the United States and the Maldives.

A number of exchange programmes have been established he said, and a recently established Fullbright scholarship programme – where scholars in the US come to study the Maldives and Maldivians go to America – was “to continue”.

Also, an international visitor study programme is to start between Maldives and United States, where 6-8 Maldivians will go to the United States to study different aspects of American society and politics – including grass-roots activism, literature, volunteerism, and the media.

America is also working on the cultural front. “In April, we had an American Blues Quartet [play in Male’] and we were very pleased about how that turned out… I think it was the first time a live professional Blues group has performed in the Maldives” he said.

We also recently had a photography exhibit of roadside architecture in the National Library which gave Maldivians a slice of American culture that you don’t normally get.”

“In September, we are planning for the Maldivian-American Friendship Week and in that week we hope to have some more live music but we will also have a trade show with emphasis on bilateral trade and we may have educational seminars… about study opportunities in the US and possibly a cooking demonstration of American cuisine and a military visit by an American ship. The week will emphasis the friendship and deepening ties we are developing between the United States and the Maldives.”

“We also recently got funding for a cultural preservation project in Male’. The oldest mosque in Male’ – the Eid Mosque – is in need of restoration and preservation and we got a grant from the State Department [Foreign Ministry of the US government] to help in that preservation… and that work should get started sometime this year.”

When asked how America pursues the democratizing policies of its President in the Maldives, Frayne said:

“We had made a statement from the State Department last year after the August disturbances in Male’ after which a lot of people were arrested and we came out with a statement saying that we have serious concerns over the people arrested. In our visits to the Maldives we did visit some of those prisoners while they were imprisoned or under house arrest. We kept very close track of that and we made our concerns known to the government in the Maldives. So we try and do it through public statements but also through private diplomacy urging the government to open up.”

“America promotes democracy, freedom of expression and a pluralistic media everywhere [in the world]” he further said, also pointing out a speech delivered by Condelezza Rice in Cairo last week:

“She was fairly critical of the Egyptian government – a long time very close ally of the United States. And yet here she was in the middle of Cairo giving a speech saying that the Egyptian government needs to lead the way in democratization in the Middle East with their upcoming Presidential Elections. So I wouldn’t say this is an exclusive concern in the Maldives or anywhere else but one of the priorities of the Bush administration, if not the leading priority, is to promote democracy throughout the world.”

He further outlined that achieving peace and stability under democratic governments was the objective of the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan and said the “preservation of human rights has been a long-term plank of US foreign policy.”

“I’d like your listeners in the Maldives to understand that we are not taking action against Muslims anywhere. Our actions are not directed against Muslims…One of the things we try to protect are Muslim human rights” he said noting that Saddam killed an estimated 300,000 Muslims in Iraq and the US interventions in the Balkans, Somalia and Afghanistan were for the protection of the rights of Muslims. “Our foreign policy is to protect human rights… we are not anti-Muslim.”

Speaking on the perception of the United States in the Maldives and amongst the ‘democratic forces’ he said: “I think the perception of the United States in the Maldives is pretty good…I can’t speak for opposition or democratic forces in the Maldives…but I think [the perception] is generally pretty good.”

“We like to push for pluralisation and democratization in a friendly conversation with the government of the Maldives. We are not anti-government by any stretch of the imagination but we will when we have concerns – as we did last year –bring it up with the government and let them know clearly that that’s how we feel.”

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15 Minutes with Leading Businessman Ahamma

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Ahmed Zahir (Ahamma).
Ahmed Zahir is a leading personality in the Maldivian business community and he has represented in the private sector at many international forums. He was a past deputy secretary general of the Maldivian National Chamber of Commerce and Industries and is a director of a leading business in the country.
Q: As a respected and experienced member of the Maldivian business community, what is your response to the introduction of a multiparty political system to the country?
A: I welcome it with all my heart. As Maldivians become more exposed to the rest of the world, their eyes have increasingly been opened to the advantages that greater political freedom has to offer. By this I mean political and economic stability and social justice.
There can be no economic stability without political stability, and I believe that such an outcome can best be achieved under a liberal democratic system based on political pluralism. I welcome the President’s decision to create a system such as this by allowing parties such as the MDP to function as legitimate political entities and take their message to the people.
Q: Are you a member of any political party?
A: Yes, I am a proud member of the MDP.
Q: Why MDP?
A: I have had long association with leading activists of MDP. I worked very close with almost the entire MDP Council in the 1999 campaign to get Anni [Mohamed Nasheed] to the Majlis. Even at that time the key strategist was Latheef and people like councilors Mausoom, Ibra, Naseer, Jenny, Ali Hashim, Ziatte, Saeed, Nazim and Suzan.
I believe that these individuals have carried the same vision of social, political and economic development with them to the MDP. I certainly share their vision of social justice and that is why I’m proud to be in MDP.
Q: The MDP has been criticized in this newspaper for not having policies. Perhaps I should say it has been ‘encouraged’ to develop them. As a leading businessman what type of economic policy do you want from MDP?
A: My conversation with MDP leadership convinces me that they support an open market economic policy. However, they also strongly believe in a comprehensive social welfare programme. You cannot have a just, equitable or even a really stable economy with 42% of the people living in abject poverty.
Low wages and minimal employment opportunities are just the tip of the iceberg. Our people have been saddled with the high cost of basic utilities such as water and electricity. They can barely make ends meet. Most Maldivians cannot even afford basic education and healthcare.
Any economy must have reasonably equitable distribution of the country’s wealth. MDP does not believe in giving people handouts or expropriating existing wealth that has been accumulated. People should be able to keep what they create.
Rather, the party wishes to give people a helping hand by providing them with equal opportunities so that everyone can compete on a level playing field. This is why basic education and health care are so important.
The is why I support the MDP leadership’s aim to provide education upto Grade Twelve throughout the country and for basic healthcare to be provided free at the point of delivery. Policies such as these are important even if businessmen are to make money and create wealth.
Q: What do you suggest the MDP does to create wealth?
A: MDP has many options. Whatever options they choose to take, I suggest a decentralized economy where even the economically disadvantaged have the opportunity to take part.
One thing I constantly worry about is the astronomical rate of unemployment in our country. A recent newspaper in Male’ estimated it to be 50%.
Many school leavers have not been provided with adequate employable skills they need in order to enter the world of work. Let down by the education system, they have been pushed to the margins of society where they find themselves ensnared in a world of crime and drug addiction.
This is a HUGE social and political problem and MDP wants to do something about it. For the sake of the economy – and for the sake of the overall health of the nation – skills development and job creation must be a priority.
Government firstly needs to create a healthy environment for wealth creation. Only then can wealth actually be created. Only then can so many of our youths who have been drained of faith and hope be brought back into mainstream society as respectable and responsible citizens. The MDP’s message is one of hope. Again, this is why I am proud to be a member.
Q: How exactly can MDP create wealth that the present government is unable
to do?
A: I can tell you some, mostly political, steps that any government can take to strengthen the economy. Businessmen and investors need a secure business environment. A more accountable, transparent system of government is needed. An independent judiciary is vital. The rule of law must be upheld.
These are steps necessary to eliminate corruption and waste. A more rational, fair, rules-based and imaginative economic system will give confidence to investors and avoid the flight of capital that we now have.
This is what we need to create more and more evenly spread wealth in our society. I believe we can increase our per capita income to over $5000. A high per capita income can help bring about democracy and a stable political system faster.
Q: What should be MDP’s policy on state-owned enterprises?
A: I think all state owned enterprises, especially traders like STO, must be transferred to private ownership. The job of the government should be to facilitate private enterprise through a good legal environment. I understand that even the World Bank has advised that enterprises like STO should be privatized. In my opinion, state involvement in business leads to too much corruption.
Q: The present government is heavily criticized, especially by the tourism sector, of never listening to the demands of business. Should the government consult the private sector on running the economy?
A: Of course! In most well managed economies the governments consult extensively with the private sector.
National budgets are prepared after very close consultation with the private sector. Since the private sector creates wealth, it makes sense that they have a say in economic decisions.
The private sector and the government must form a close partnership for the sake of national development. Since many of the MDP leaders are members or ex-members of business organizations and have been involved in the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I believe they have the experience and the knowledge to ensure that such a partnership for development can be initiated and sustained.
This is the key to economic success for our nation. This is how greater wealth can be created and enjoyed, not only by us, but by our children and by our children’s children.
Our country has been stuck in neutral gear for far too long. MDP offers a vision of economic and social justice that will allow our nation to accelerate into a future of prosperity and progress. The MDP has the vision and with the support of the people, I am confident that it will deliver us this brighter future.

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Ahmed Zahir (Ahamma).

Ahmed Zahir is a leading personality in the Maldivian business community and he has represented in the private sector at many international forums. He was a past deputy secretary general of the Maldivian National Chamber of Commerce and Industries and is a director of a leading business in the country.

Q: As a respected and experienced member of the Maldivian business community, what is your response to the introduction of a multiparty political system to the country?

A: I welcome it with all my heart. As Maldivians become more exposed to the rest of the world, their eyes have increasingly been opened to the advantages that greater political freedom has to offer. By this I mean political and economic stability and social justice.

There can be no economic stability without political stability, and I believe that such an outcome can best be achieved under a liberal democratic system based on political pluralism. I welcome the President’s decision to create a system such as this by allowing parties such as the MDP to function as legitimate political entities and take their message to the people.

Q: Are you a member of any political party?

A: Yes, I am a proud member of the MDP.

Q: Why MDP?

A: I have had long association with leading activists of MDP. I worked very close with almost the entire MDP Council in the 1999 campaign to get Anni [Mohamed Nasheed] to the Majlis. Even at that time the key strategist was Latheef and people like councilors Mausoom, Ibra, Naseer, Jenny, Ali Hashim, Ziatte, Saeed, Nazim and Suzan.

I believe that these individuals have carried the same vision of social, political and economic development with them to the MDP. I certainly share their vision of social justice and that is why I’m proud to be in MDP.

Q: The MDP has been criticized in this newspaper for not having policies. Perhaps I should say it has been ‘encouraged’ to develop them. As a leading businessman what type of economic policy do you want from MDP?

A: My conversation with MDP leadership convinces me that they support an open market economic policy. However, they also strongly believe in a comprehensive social welfare programme. You cannot have a just, equitable or even a really stable economy with 42% of the people living in abject poverty.

Low wages and minimal employment opportunities are just the tip of the iceberg. Our people have been saddled with the high cost of basic utilities such as water and electricity. They can barely make ends meet. Most Maldivians cannot even afford basic education and healthcare.

Any economy must have reasonably equitable distribution of the country’s wealth. MDP does not believe in giving people handouts or expropriating existing wealth that has been accumulated. People should be able to keep what they create.

Rather, the party wishes to give people a helping hand by providing them with equal opportunities so that everyone can compete on a level playing field. This is why basic education and health care are so important.

The is why I support the MDP leadership’s aim to provide education upto Grade Twelve throughout the country and for basic healthcare to be provided free at the point of delivery. Policies such as these are important even if businessmen are to make money and create wealth.

Q: What do you suggest the MDP does to create wealth?

A: MDP has many options. Whatever options they choose to take, I suggest a decentralized economy where even the economically disadvantaged have the opportunity to take part.

One thing I constantly worry about is the astronomical rate of unemployment in our country. A recent newspaper in Male’ estimated it to be 50%.

Many school leavers have not been provided with adequate employable skills they need in order to enter the world of work. Let down by the education system, they have been pushed to the margins of society where they find themselves ensnared in a world of crime and drug addiction.

This is a HUGE social and political problem and MDP wants to do something about it. For the sake of the economy – and for the sake of the overall health of the nation – skills development and job creation must be a priority.

Government firstly needs to create a healthy environment for wealth creation. Only then can wealth actually be created. Only then can so many of our youths who have been drained of faith and hope be brought back into mainstream society as respectable and responsible citizens. The MDP’s message is one of hope. Again, this is why I am proud to be a member.

Q: How exactly can MDP create wealth that the present government is unable

to do?

A: I can tell you some, mostly political, steps that any government can take to strengthen the economy. Businessmen and investors need a secure business environment. A more accountable, transparent system of government is needed. An independent judiciary is vital. The rule of law must be upheld.

These are steps necessary to eliminate corruption and waste. A more rational, fair, rules-based and imaginative economic system will give confidence to investors and avoid the flight of capital that we now have.

This is what we need to create more and more evenly spread wealth in our society. I believe we can increase our per capita income to over $5000. A high per capita income can help bring about democracy and a stable political system faster.

Q: What should be MDP’s policy on state-owned enterprises?

A: I think all state owned enterprises, especially traders like STO, must be transferred to private ownership. The job of the government should be to facilitate private enterprise through a good legal environment. I understand that even the World Bank has advised that enterprises like STO should be privatized. In my opinion, state involvement in business leads to too much corruption.

Q: The present government is heavily criticized, especially by the tourism sector, of never listening to the demands of business. Should the government consult the private sector on running the economy?

A: Of course! In most well managed economies the governments consult extensively with the private sector.

National budgets are prepared after very close consultation with the private sector. Since the private sector creates wealth, it makes sense that they have a say in economic decisions.

The private sector and the government must form a close partnership for the sake of national development. Since many of the MDP leaders are members or ex-members of business organizations and have been involved in the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I believe they have the experience and the knowledge to ensure that such a partnership for development can be initiated and sustained.

This is the key to economic success for our nation. This is how greater wealth can be created and enjoyed, not only by us, but by our children and by our children’s children.

Our country has been stuck in neutral gear for far too long. MDP offers a vision of economic and social justice that will allow our nation to accelerate into a future of prosperity and progress. The MDP has the vision and with the support of the people, I am confident that it will deliver us this brighter future.

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Terrorist or Freedom Fighter? – 15 Minutes with Jenny Latheef

Minivan News spends 15 minutes with Jennifer Latheef.
Jenny is a photographer and television documentary-maker. She is also an MDP council member and her father is the MDP Spokesperson.
Jenny is currently awaiting sentence for a charge of “terrorism” following the Male’ riots in September 2003. The riots were sparked by the murder of Evan Naseem in Maafushi Jail by a group of police officers led by Adam Mohamed (Fusfaru).
1) What was your involvement in the riots and the demonstrations following Evan Naseem’s death?
I went there to see. I wanted to see because before that another kid had also died in jail. I thought I have to go and I went and that place was packed, the entire area was packed outside the cemetery. Every person there was feeling the same thing, the same rage because Evan was beaten brutally. You could see everything, all his wounds. They tried to bury him, they were not going to show his face to his mum (Mariyam Manike) but a girl who was there just took the blanket off his body and the crowd saw his face and the bruises all over his body.
There was a unity between the people there. Everyone was feeling the same thing. The people were full of rage. There was a lot of anger. People had been under this system for 25 years. They’d had enough. I think it was becoming more common also – the brutality and the killings. But now this information is getting out to the people. People just die mysteriously. In just my area of town there are five people who have died in jail and Male’ is small. There is so much unreported abuse, people with deformities and pain they have to go through for the rest of their life because of this.
2) Last year you spent one hundred days in jail. Why was that?
I think to begin with, on the 20th September, I was just an easy target because I was there and I would still be there if it happened again. I wasn’t there to instigate violence, I don’t believe in violence. I was there because I wanted to see Evan’s face and when I was there at the cemetery we heard about the other shootings in Maafushi and that there were other dead people at the hospitals so I went there.
They asked me during the investigation why I was there. How can they ask me that? Of course I was there. Do they expect me just to sit at home and idly watch whilst people are murdered? That’s the reason people were out that day, because they didn’t just want to sit at home.
To some extent it played on their conscience and a lot of people there who burned places and things like that, they felt it. They’ve seen it, they’ve felt it, and they’ve been there. And they know it could have been them. And a lot of them knew Evan personally and other people who died that day.
That anger, the pain. It was dangerous but the funny thing is they only attacked government targets. They could have looted shops, robbed places but they didn’t. There was no robbery. Young rioters who went into shops that night paid for what they took. It was just police stations, government buildings that they burnt. The police and the government think it was organised. But if you know anything about organisation you should know that if it was really organised they would have hit the main target first. Not going round the entire place buring little police stations and things. You don’t need a genius to realise that it was not organised. It was spontaneous rage.
3) Do you think that that rage has dissipated two years on?
People are getting more courage. Realising that they really can’t just stay at home and the only way to make it better is to come out. More and more people are going into jail for political reasons, 12-13th [August 2004] for instance. The country is in a state of emergency throughout.
On New Year’s Eve, people were being tried for treason and then they were all just forgiven. How dare they. This is not a joke these are people’s lives. You can’t just expect people to say “Oh goody, I’m pardoned.” It doesn’t work that way. You can’t seriously expect people to believe Gayoom. If there was even a hint that he will actually reform the country… is he actually willing to change and get the reforms done? I don’t think so, I really don’t. Part of me wants to believe that this is true but that’s the foolish part I think. I don’t think a man who has been in power for that long can easily just give it up. It’s not just him, there are a lot of other people attached to his power as well.
4) If Gayoom doesn’t reform, what do you think would happen?
I don’t think that’s possible. I don’t think he can get away with no reform because there is too much international pressure. But given his past its not going to be easy. OK, he’s given one year as a timeframe [January 2006]. But what other excuse is he going to come up with?
5) Do you think people will wait a year for reform?
I think people would. We Maldivians are patient don’t you think? I mean, 27 of all this rule. And before that as well, it’s just been tyrant after tyrant and people, Maldivians, they are good people. They are peaceful people. They are not violent people. We don’t have serial killers and things like that.
6) Given that there is this rage you’ve identified within society if it is not given a peaceful political outlet, what might happen?
That rage hasn’t gone at all. But I don’t want people to start burning place and things like that. It doesn’t seem good. My hope is that change comes without that. I hope that the President has the decency to give that to his people. Because without that it will obviously come to a point where people do come out differently. It’s inevitable if there is no change for too long, that rage will materialise and will be expressed as violence.
7) You were charged with terrorism. Can you explain a little bit about your case? Did you have access to lawyers, what was the evidence like? Did you get a fair trial?
Certainly not because if there had been a fair trial I would not have been in jail. They had no reason to arrest me first of all so this was not justice.
8) People have said that you were a hostage because of your father.
Yes, I think that was basically what I was as well.
They had nine witnesses. Six of them were police people, cops, three of them were civilians. I think they hang out together and they [the three civilians] were together during 20th September. These people said one thing in their statements and when they came to court they said something else.
It was surreal being there first of all. It was just a joke. I couldn’t believe what the prosecution witnesses were saying. They changed what they were saying if they were asked a question twice. They’d say that they “didn’t see me throw a stone” when my lawyer said “you were very far away from Jenny weren’t you? Then the prosecutor asked them and they would say they did see me throw a stone.
9) So the main charge against you was that you threw a stone?
Yes. One of the policemen said I threw a stone at him. Now, I did go upto the police that day outside the hospital. They were there in a line. These police had nothing to do with Evan’s death but I knew that the people who had gathered there did not want to see a policeman. The police were making the people angrier just by being there. I said to them “you have nothing to do with this, you’re just agitating the public.” That’s all I said. I didn’t talk to anyone in particular, I addressed them in general. Then people started throwing rocks and I left and I went home, I didn’t want to be there. I went back later to document what was going on and to take pictures but that was all.
10) Was there any evidence of you trying to plant bombs, trying to assassinate people or hijack aeroplanes?
No.
11) But you were charged with terrorism?
Yes.
12) So, throwing a stone in the Maldives is tantamount to terrorism?
Yes.
13) And what does is the sentence for terrorism?
It is 15 years in jail.
14) And what have you been sentenced to?
I haven’t been sentenced yet. I’ve been charged.
15) And have they found you guilty?
Not yet. The verdict will be given this month apparently.
16) So when did the trial end?
Beginning of July 2004.
17) Was it a jury trial?
No. It is one judge who will decide.
18) And these judges can be dismissed by President Gayoom or the sentence can be overturned by President Gayoom?
Yes
19) So, it’s essentially up to Gayoom whether you are found guilty or not?
Yes. There is no evidence. It’s just foolish. The policeman said I threw a rock that apparently hit him on the shin. He said he talked to me, then he turned around and then I threw a rock at him. Now, unless I had a boomerang how was I supposed to hit him on the shin when he was facing the other way? Now if you’re going to make up evidence, the government could at least make it believable.
I mean, during the investigation a policeman said that they have witnesses saying I jumped on top of a burning vehicle. I just had to laugh at them. I’m not Abraham. I do burn when fire is near me. I can’t be jumping on top of a burning vehicle. If they were going to intimidate me, well, that was not intimidation!
20) But they’ve let you come to Sri Lanka even though you’re still under charges of terrorism, which must be one of the most serious charges you can bring about. But if you are a terrorist awaiting trial, why are they letting you leave Maldives? Why are they letting you on an aeroplane?
Yes. Before I was charged last year I came here also. I think they want me abroad so when they charge me they are hoping I won’t go back to the Maldives. But even if they charge me I will still go back.
21) You are perceived by many people to be the face of the young opposition movement. Have these charges quietened you down?
I don’t think it’s quietened me down. It has not intimidated me. Ok, I didn’t want to be in jail. I think they wanted to quieten my father and the work he has been doing. I wouldn’t want my father to stop the work he is doing because I am in jail and I told the regime that too. I said if they thought that by keeping me my father would be silent they were wrong. And he is not going to stop, even if they kill me he will not stop. And if they do kill me I wouldn’t want him to ever stop.
22) When you were in jail last year, following the 12-13th August demonstration, a lot of people came to visit you. One of which was the American Ambassador to Colombo. He described you as “one tough cookie”.
You have to be. I think every person there was one tough cookie. All of us were there in Dhoonidhoo, we were all there together for the same reason and we all got to know each other. We talked in jail. The best freedom of expression in the Maldives then was in jail. Every now and then a person would call for Maumoon’s resignation and then everyone would be yelling. We kept ourselves entertained and it was nice that way, in a weird sort of way.
But you know, they keep doing this. They keep arresting people and sending them to jail for one month, two months. They torture them either physically or mentally and then just let them go.
23) Does this intimidate people?
I think people have been intimidated but people are now getting the strength not to feel intimidated because there are now people watching, because MDP is watching and because MDP has made sure the international community is watching.

Minivan News spends 15 minutes with Jennifer Latheef.

Jenny is a photographer and television documentary-maker. She is also an MDP council member and her father is the MDP Spokesperson.

Jenny is currently awaiting sentence for a charge of “terrorism” following the Male’ riots in September 2003. The riots were sparked by the murder of Evan Naseem in Maafushi Jail by a group of police officers led by Adam Mohamed (Fusfaru).

1) What was your involvement in the riots and the demonstrations following Evan Naseem’s death?

I went there to see. I wanted to see because before that another kid had also died in jail. I thought I have to go and I went and that place was packed, the entire area was packed outside the cemetery. Every person there was feeling the same thing, the same rage because Evan was beaten brutally. You could see everything, all his wounds. They tried to bury him, they were not going to show his face to his mum (Mariyam Manike) but a girl who was there just took the blanket off his body and the crowd saw his face and the bruises all over his body.

There was a unity between the people there. Everyone was feeling the same thing. The people were full of rage. There was a lot of anger. People had been under this system for 25 years. They’d had enough. I think it was becoming more common also – the brutality and the killings. But now this information is getting out to the people. People just die mysteriously. In just my area of town there are five people who have died in jail and Male’ is small. There is so much unreported abuse, people with deformities and pain they have to go through for the rest of their life because of this.

2) Last year you spent one hundred days in jail. Why was that?

I think to begin with, on the 20th September, I was just an easy target because I was there and I would still be there if it happened again. I wasn’t there to instigate violence, I don’t believe in violence. I was there because I wanted to see Evan’s face and when I was there at the cemetery we heard about the other shootings in Maafushi and that there were other dead people at the hospitals so I went there.

They asked me during the investigation why I was there. How can they ask me that? Of course I was there. Do they expect me just to sit at home and idly watch whilst people are murdered? That’s the reason people were out that day, because they didn’t just want to sit at home.

To some extent it played on their conscience and a lot of people there who burned places and things like that, they felt it. They’ve seen it, they’ve felt it, and they’ve been there. And they know it could have been them. And a lot of them knew Evan personally and other people who died that day.

That anger, the pain. It was dangerous but the funny thing is they only attacked government targets. They could have looted shops, robbed places but they didn’t. There was no robbery. Young rioters who went into shops that night paid for what they took. It was just police stations, government buildings that they burnt. The police and the government think it was organised. But if you know anything about organisation you should know that if it was really organised they would have hit the main target first. Not going round the entire place buring little police stations and things. You don’t need a genius to realise that it was not organised. It was spontaneous rage.

3) Do you think that that rage has dissipated two years on?

People are getting more courage. Realising that they really can’t just stay at home and the only way to make it better is to come out. More and more people are going into jail for political reasons, 12-13th [August 2004] for instance. The country is in a state of emergency throughout.

On New Year’s Eve, people were being tried for treason and then they were all just forgiven. How dare they. This is not a joke these are people’s lives. You can’t just expect people to say “Oh goody, I’m pardoned.” It doesn’t work that way. You can’t seriously expect people to believe Gayoom. If there was even a hint that he will actually reform the country… is he actually willing to change and get the reforms done? I don’t think so, I really don’t. Part of me wants to believe that this is true but that’s the foolish part I think. I don’t think a man who has been in power for that long can easily just give it up. It’s not just him, there are a lot of other people attached to his power as well.

4) If Gayoom doesn’t reform, what do you think would happen?

I don’t think that’s possible. I don’t think he can get away with no reform because there is too much international pressure. But given his past its not going to be easy. OK, he’s given one year as a timeframe [January 2006]. But what other excuse is he going to come up with?

5) Do you think people will wait a year for reform?

I think people would. We Maldivians are patient don’t you think? I mean, 27 of all this rule. And before that as well, it’s just been tyrant after tyrant and people, Maldivians, they are good people. They are peaceful people. They are not violent people. We don’t have serial killers and things like that.

6) Given that there is this rage you’ve identified within society if it is not given a peaceful political outlet, what might happen?

That rage hasn’t gone at all. But I don’t want people to start burning place and things like that. It doesn’t seem good. My hope is that change comes without that. I hope that the President has the decency to give that to his people. Because without that it will obviously come to a point where people do come out differently. It’s inevitable if there is no change for too long, that rage will materialise and will be expressed as violence.

7) You were charged with terrorism. Can you explain a little bit about your case? Did you have access to lawyers, what was the evidence like? Did you get a fair trial?

Certainly not because if there had been a fair trial I would not have been in jail. They had no reason to arrest me first of all so this was not justice.

8) People have said that you were a hostage because of your father.

Yes, I think that was basically what I was as well.

They had nine witnesses. Six of them were police people, cops, three of them were civilians. I think they hang out together and they [the three civilians] were together during 20th September. These people said one thing in their statements and when they came to court they said something else.

It was surreal being there first of all. It was just a joke. I couldn’t believe what the prosecution witnesses were saying. They changed what they were saying if they were asked a question twice. They’d say that they “didn’t see me throw a stone” when my lawyer said “you were very far away from Jenny weren’t you? Then the prosecutor asked them and they would say they did see me throw a stone.

9) So the main charge against you was that you threw a stone?

Yes. One of the policemen said I threw a stone at him. Now, I did go upto the police that day outside the hospital. They were there in a line. These police had nothing to do with Evan’s death but I knew that the people who had gathered there did not want to see a policeman. The police were making the people angrier just by being there. I said to them “you have nothing to do with this, you’re just agitating the public.” That’s all I said. I didn’t talk to anyone in particular, I addressed them in general. Then people started throwing rocks and I left and I went home, I didn’t want to be there. I went back later to document what was going on and to take pictures but that was all.

10) Was there any evidence of you trying to plant bombs, trying to assassinate people or hijack aeroplanes?

No.

11) But you were charged with terrorism?

Yes.

12) So, throwing a stone in the Maldives is tantamount to terrorism?

Yes.

13) And what does is the sentence for terrorism?

It is 15 years in jail.

14) And what have you been sentenced to?

I haven’t been sentenced yet. I’ve been charged.

15) And have they found you guilty?

Not yet. The verdict will be given this month apparently.

16) So when did the trial end?

Beginning of July 2004.

17) Was it a jury trial?

No. It is one judge who will decide.

18) And these judges can be dismissed by President Gayoom or the sentence can be overturned by President Gayoom?

Yes

19) So, it’s essentially up to Gayoom whether you are found guilty or not?

Yes. There is no evidence. It’s just foolish. The policeman said I threw a rock that apparently hit him on the shin. He said he talked to me, then he turned around and then I threw a rock at him. Now, unless I had a boomerang how was I supposed to hit him on the shin when he was facing the other way? Now if you’re going to make up evidence, the government could at least make it believable.

I mean, during the investigation a policeman said that they have witnesses saying I jumped on top of a burning vehicle. I just had to laugh at them. I’m not Abraham. I do burn when fire is near me. I can’t be jumping on top of a burning vehicle. If they were going to intimidate me, well, that was not intimidation!

20) But they’ve let you come to Sri Lanka even though you’re still under charges of terrorism, which must be one of the most serious charges you can bring about. But if you are a terrorist awaiting trial, why are they letting you leave Maldives? Why are they letting you on an aeroplane?

Yes. Before I was charged last year I came here also. I think they want me abroad so when they charge me they are hoping I won’t go back to the Maldives. But even if they charge me I will still go back.

21) You are perceived by many people to be the face of the young opposition movement. Have these charges quietened you down?

I don’t think it’s quietened me down. It has not intimidated me. Ok, I didn’t want to be in jail. I think they wanted to quieten my father and the work he has been doing. I wouldn’t want my father to stop the work he is doing because I am in jail and I told the regime that too. I said if they thought that by keeping me my father would be silent they were wrong. And he is not going to stop, even if they kill me he will not stop. And if they do kill me I wouldn’t want him to ever stop.

22) When you were in jail last year, following the 12-13th August demonstration, a lot of people came to visit you. One of which was the American Ambassador to Colombo. He described you as “one tough cookie”.

You have to be. I think every person there was one tough cookie. All of us were there in Dhoonidhoo, we were all there together for the same reason and we all got to know each other. We talked in jail. The best freedom of expression in the Maldives then was in jail. Every now and then a person would call for Maumoon’s resignation and then everyone would be yelling. We kept ourselves entertained and it was nice that way, in a weird sort of way.

But you know, they keep doing this. They keep arresting people and sending them to jail for one month, two months. They torture them either physically or mentally and then just let them go.

23) Does this intimidate people?

I think people have been intimidated but people are now getting the strength not to feel intimidated because there are now people watching, because MDP is watching and because MDP has made sure the international community is watching.

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15 Minutes with Former Attorney-General Dr. Munavvar

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with former Attorney-General of the Maldives Dr. Munavvar.
Dr. Munavvar is now the legal advisor to the Maldivian Democratic Party.
MN: President Gayoom is telling the nation and the world that it was Dr.Munavvar who advised the Majlis (parliament) in 2001, that the Constitution does not allow for the formation of political parties.
Dr. Munavvar: At no time under any circumstances have I given advice that contravenes the constitution. The Republic’s Constitution through Article 27 gives Maldivians the liberty to form associations. When the question came to me (in 2001, in parliament), I clearly stated that fact. I also made the additional explanation that the traditions of governance as well as governance at the time does not allow political parties, even should they be formed, the leeway to attain their objectives. My remarks are now a matter of public record; any one who examines it would realize that what I did not say that the constitution or the laws in the country banned political parties.
MN: In 2001, the President requested the parliament’s advice, on which members voted by majority that political parties should not be allowed. As the outcome does not amount to enactment of a law, do you think that this was a sham to hoodwink the public and the international community?
Dr. Munavvar: Yes. First of all, if the Constitution or the law actually did ban political parties, the President need not have asked parliament for advice. Subsequent to that, such opinions or advice passed by the house does not constitute a law, as members deliberated not on a Bill, but on a request of the President forwarded by letter. It also follows that there is no law that requires the government to act on such advice passed in the house.
MN: The Maldivian Democratic Party’s Chairperson recently said that you were among eminent persons in the party for the country’s leadership. You are also the MDP Governing Council’s Legal Advisor. Do you feel you are achieving your aspirations?
Dr. Munavvar: I do not personally state a propensity for high position. However I shall continue doing my best in serving the interests of the Maldivian people. Should the people need me to serve in any post that they deem fit for me, I would not falter in going forth in their service.

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with former Attorney-General of the Maldives Dr. Munavvar.

Dr. Munavvar is now the legal advisor to the Maldivian Democratic Party.

MN: President Gayoom is telling the nation and the world that it was Dr.Munavvar who advised the Majlis (parliament) in 2001, that the Constitution does not allow for the formation of political parties.

Dr. Munavvar: At no time under any circumstances have I given advice that contravenes the constitution. The Republic’s Constitution through Article 27 gives Maldivians the liberty to form associations. When the question came to me (in 2001, in parliament), I clearly stated that fact. I also made the additional explanation that the traditions of governance as well as governance at the time does not allow political parties, even should they be formed, the leeway to attain their objectives. My remarks are now a matter of public record; any one who examines it would realize that what I did not say that the constitution or the laws in the country banned political parties.

MN: In 2001, the President requested the parliament’s advice, on which members voted by majority that political parties should not be allowed. As the outcome does not amount to enactment of a law, do you think that this was a sham to hoodwink the public and the international community?

Dr. Munavvar: Yes. First of all, if the Constitution or the law actually did ban political parties, the President need not have asked parliament for advice. Subsequent to that, such opinions or advice passed by the house does not constitute a law, as members deliberated not on a Bill, but on a request of the President forwarded by letter. It also follows that there is no law that requires the government to act on such advice passed in the house.

MN: The Maldivian Democratic Party’s Chairperson recently said that you were among eminent persons in the party for the country’s leadership. You are also the MDP Governing Council’s Legal Advisor. Do you feel you are achieving your aspirations?

Dr. Munavvar: I do not personally state a propensity for high position. However I shall continue doing my best in serving the interests of the Maldivian people. Should the people need me to serve in any post that they deem fit for me, I would not falter in going forth in their service.

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15 Minutes with former SAARC Secretary-General Ibrahim Hussain Zaki

Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki has a long and distinguished career at the heart of Maldivian and regional politics. As a former Cabinet Minister in Gayoom’s government, he filled the posts of Deputy Foreign Minister, Tourism Minister and Planning Minister.
As SAARC Secretary-General, he worked closely with Presidents and Prime Ministers across South Asia. He also sat as a Member of the Majlis, representing the people of South Ari Atoll for ten years.
Last year, IH Zaki shocked the regime by joining the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party. Since then, he has been elected as a party councilor and in February this year, was made the MDP’s advisor on political affairs. Mr Zaki was also arrested for taking part in the 12-13th August 2004 pro-democracy rally in Male’.
Mr. IH Zaki was interviewed on Minivan Radio on 12th April 2005, in Minivan’s studio in Colombo.
Minivan Radio (MR): How do you propose to go ahead with the job of councilor to the MDP?
Zaki: First of all I’d like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak. It is an honor for me to act as Counselor to the MDP. During a time of political reform, MDP is an organization that is certain to play an important role. To be active within the MDP is an honor. In the future – the future we all wish to see – during a period of political reform, I am prepared to share all of my experience and skills I have learnt through the years in the service of MDP.
MR: You spent 58 days in jail and 2 months under house-arrest for being present at the 12-13th democracy rally in Male’. It was reported that you suffered at the hands of the government along with several others as advocated by Amnesty International and the Maldivian Human Rights Commission. Could you please tell us something about the period you spent under arrest?
Zaki: Yes… There’s no doubt that the experiences of different people arrested will be different.
It was a peaceful gathering. Being present in a public gathering where the public demonstrated its feelings towards the government and the people without resorting to violence was not in defiance of any law. If I am to say something about the time of my arrest and its aftermath, I’d like to state that I was an elected member of the public and thus liable for protection under the law.
From the moment I was taken to the Police Headquarters, for 12 hours I was not made aware of the reason why I was taken into custody. After 12 hours I was notified by the relevant government authority that I was arrested in connection with the activities of 12th and 13th.
Next comes the place of arrest and the way I was held in custody. I was kept in solitary confinement. In my opinion it is a contravention of my human and civil rights. During the period I spent in jail, I was deprived of my basic rights as a human being along with my legal rights. I can prove this aptly.
As regards the investigation, I must say that things are not conducted in a proper manner in the Maldives. The spirit of the investigation was to place the blame on my head for things which I was not culpable of. However, in the condition I was in, I felt my survival came first. To save my life was a priority and hence I requested that I be given access to a doctor and I was taken to the hospital. Afterwards I was placed under house-arrest. Later I was released with the condition that I remain in the country.
MR: After your experience in jail I understand several offers were made to you for a post in the government – why did you refuse the offers?
Zaki: My main reason for turning down the government’s offer was that during 27 years of rule I had not seen any signs of reform. I am not prepared to serve such a government.
There’s no doubt I worked for the government as I would with a friendly party. I wished to seek changes while working within the system. But my ten years of experience in the Cabinet has affirmed my belief that reforms will not be implemented with the present regime in power.
There’s no doubt that when I was placed under arrest I was outside the government. During November of the year 2002, when a new government was formed I was not included within the Cabinet. However, several Cabinet level posts were offered which I refused. From personal experience I do not believe there is any chance for the reforms we seek with the present regime in power.
MR: So you believe that the political changes that Maumoon has promised will not be implemented?
Zaki: Yes… Why has Maumoon’s government promised political reform after 27 years of rule? Let’s take a look. In my opinion these changes have been promised by the government because pressure has been applied on a national and international level. In my opinion the present government we see and the government before that exists for one purpose only. It is a system of government designed to garner the loyalty of the public or to bend them in the government’s direction.
When we wish to see if the government is for reform or not we have to first look in the direction of the past and see the experiences we can gain from the past. There’s no doubt that what we have seen and what we have experienced hasn’t any democratic values attached. What we saw was the government in existence practicing a policy or politics of garnering public loyalty or to bend the public in the direction of the government.
When we seek major changes in government we must first ask the question whether the government would wish for the same changes. One truth that we have to acknowledge is that when we seek changes, the changes will replace something in the system, and when we see the introduction of change, several barriers will be placed in front of the old system.
In my opinion this is not something that the government can afford. Sometimes I feel that as in other parts of the world whether what we want is a government that is on par with the people. If I may say it in English it is important that a national reconciliation government implement the reforms we seek.
MR: At a time when all the Maldivian people are working to bring about freedom what is Zaki’s message?
Zaki: I wish to say that when you look into the corners of the world or when you view the world’s experience – while viewing the Maldives on a national level – the changes we see coming we definitely cannot do without.
The question is when will these reforms take place? According a time for change is in the hands of the people. There’s no doubt that if the people wishes for change, it can come as soon as they wish for it.

Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki has a long and distinguished career at the heart of Maldivian and regional politics. As a former Cabinet Minister in Gayoom’s government, he filled the posts of Deputy Foreign Minister, Tourism Minister and Planning Minister.

As SAARC Secretary-General, he worked closely with Presidents and Prime Ministers across South Asia. He also sat as a Member of the Majlis, representing the people of South Ari Atoll for ten years.

Last year, IH Zaki shocked the regime by joining the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party. Since then, he has been elected as a party councilor and in February this year, was made the MDP’s advisor on political affairs. Mr Zaki was also arrested for taking part in the 12-13th August 2004 pro-democracy rally in Male’.

Mr. IH Zaki was interviewed on Minivan Radio on 12th April 2005, in Minivan’s studio in Colombo.

Minivan Radio (MR): How do you propose to go ahead with the job of councilor to the MDP?

Zaki: First of all I’d like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak. It is an honor for me to act as Counselor to the MDP. During a time of political reform, MDP is an organization that is certain to play an important role. To be active within the MDP is an honor. In the future – the future we all wish to see – during a period of political reform, I am prepared to share all of my experience and skills I have learnt through the years in the service of MDP.

MR: You spent 58 days in jail and 2 months under house-arrest for being present at the 12-13th democracy rally in Male’. It was reported that you suffered at the hands of the government along with several others as advocated by Amnesty International and the Maldivian Human Rights Commission. Could you please tell us something about the period you spent under arrest?

Zaki: Yes… There’s no doubt that the experiences of different people arrested will be different.

It was a peaceful gathering. Being present in a public gathering where the public demonstrated its feelings towards the government and the people without resorting to violence was not in defiance of any law. If I am to say something about the time of my arrest and its aftermath, I’d like to state that I was an elected member of the public and thus liable for protection under the law.

From the moment I was taken to the Police Headquarters, for 12 hours I was not made aware of the reason why I was taken into custody. After 12 hours I was notified by the relevant government authority that I was arrested in connection with the activities of 12th and 13th.

Next comes the place of arrest and the way I was held in custody. I was kept in solitary confinement. In my opinion it is a contravention of my human and civil rights. During the period I spent in jail, I was deprived of my basic rights as a human being along with my legal rights. I can prove this aptly.

As regards the investigation, I must say that things are not conducted in a proper manner in the Maldives. The spirit of the investigation was to place the blame on my head for things which I was not culpable of. However, in the condition I was in, I felt my survival came first. To save my life was a priority and hence I requested that I be given access to a doctor and I was taken to the hospital. Afterwards I was placed under house-arrest. Later I was released with the condition that I remain in the country.

MR: After your experience in jail I understand several offers were made to you for a post in the government – why did you refuse the offers?

Zaki: My main reason for turning down the government’s offer was that during 27 years of rule I had not seen any signs of reform. I am not prepared to serve such a government.

There’s no doubt I worked for the government as I would with a friendly party. I wished to seek changes while working within the system. But my ten years of experience in the Cabinet has affirmed my belief that reforms will not be implemented with the present regime in power.

There’s no doubt that when I was placed under arrest I was outside the government. During November of the year 2002, when a new government was formed I was not included within the Cabinet. However, several Cabinet level posts were offered which I refused. From personal experience I do not believe there is any chance for the reforms we seek with the present regime in power.

MR: So you believe that the political changes that Maumoon has promised will not be implemented?

Zaki: Yes… Why has Maumoon’s government promised political reform after 27 years of rule? Let’s take a look. In my opinion these changes have been promised by the government because pressure has been applied on a national and international level. In my opinion the present government we see and the government before that exists for one purpose only. It is a system of government designed to garner the loyalty of the public or to bend them in the government’s direction.

When we wish to see if the government is for reform or not we have to first look in the direction of the past and see the experiences we can gain from the past. There’s no doubt that what we have seen and what we have experienced hasn’t any democratic values attached. What we saw was the government in existence practicing a policy or politics of garnering public loyalty or to bend the public in the direction of the government.

When we seek major changes in government we must first ask the question whether the government would wish for the same changes. One truth that we have to acknowledge is that when we seek changes, the changes will replace something in the system, and when we see the introduction of change, several barriers will be placed in front of the old system.

In my opinion this is not something that the government can afford. Sometimes I feel that as in other parts of the world whether what we want is a government that is on par with the people. If I may say it in English it is important that a national reconciliation government implement the reforms we seek.

MR: At a time when all the Maldivian people are working to bring about freedom what is Zaki’s message?

Zaki: I wish to say that when you look into the corners of the world or when you view the world’s experience – while viewing the Maldives on a national level – the changes we see coming we definitely cannot do without.

The question is when will these reforms take place? According a time for change is in the hands of the people. There’s no doubt that if the people wishes for change, it can come as soon as they wish for it.

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15 Minutes with Evan Naseem’s mother Mariyam Manike

On the 19th September 2003, in Maafushi Jail, Maldives, members of President Gayoom’s National Security Service took 19 year old Evan Naseem out of his cell to ‘the range’.
They tied Evan’s hands above his head and his legs to the floor in an ‘X’ position. Then, they took it in turns to beat Evan to death with iron rods, batons and chair legs.
It was on NSS Captain Adam Mohamed’s (Fusfaru) orders that Evan Naseem was taken to ‘the range’ and brutally beaten, resulting in his death. On March 10th, Fusfaru was sentenced to 6 months in jail for this crime.
Minivan News spoke to Evan’s mother, Mariyam Manike, about the sentence.
Q1: Do you think that justice has been served?
I knew even before the sentence justice would not be served. They gave Fusfaru just six months. Because they kept him under investigation for so long they had to give him something so the government can say to the people it has done something.
[Sarcastically] I really believe the government should give him back his job and encourage him to beat more people more often.
For a torturer like Fusfaru six months is nothing. He has been beating people up for so long. For five years he had the job of torturing people. It is not one or two who have been beaten up. He has been beating people up for so long. Lots of people have told me their stories at the hands of Fusfaru.
Q2: Do you expect to take this judgment to a higher court?
Even if I did go to the highest court here, nothing would happen. Nothing will happen with this regime in power.
Q3: Have you decided that your fight for justice for Evan is now over?
No. It won’t end just like that. It is not going to end. Even if I request a re-trial of Fusfaru the authorities will not allow it. If the government wants to investigate something they will always do that. But not for people like me. The government wouldn’t review a case like this.
Perhaps the reason he did not get justice is because in the hereafter he will be judged. He deserves to be judged there. That is my prayer too. For people like him, let the end be bitter even on Earth. They are well aware of what they have done.
Q4: Just a couple of days back another person died in jail [Muaviath Mahmood]. What are your feelings about this, being Evan’s mother?
I was sleeping when the news of Muaviath’s death was bough to me. Someone came and said another person has died. I went to the cemetery where Muaviath’s body was lying and some boys pointed out to me how his larynx was all swollen. It was unbearable to see that beaten boy. I had to leave, I couldn’t bear it.
Q5: Youself and Muaviath ‘s mother are in a similar position. Did you go and speak to her?
Yes, I spoke to her and she said just that he was beaten to death. She was too upset to say anything more than that.

On the 19th September 2003, in Maafushi Jail, Maldives, members of President Gayoom’s National Security Service took 19 year old Evan Naseem out of his cell to ‘the range’.

They tied Evan’s hands above his head and his legs to the floor in an ‘X’ position. Then, they took it in turns to beat Evan to death with iron rods, batons and chair legs.

It was on NSS Captain Adam Mohamed’s (Fusfaru) orders that Evan Naseem was taken to ‘the range’ and brutally beaten, resulting in his death. On March 10th, Fusfaru was sentenced to 6 months in jail for this crime.

Minivan News spoke to Evan’s mother, Mariyam Manike, about the sentence.

Q1: Do you think that justice has been served?

I knew even before the sentence justice would not be served. They gave Fusfaru just six months. Because they kept him under investigation for so long they had to give him something so the government can say to the people it has done something.

[Sarcastically] I really believe the government should give him back his job and encourage him to beat more people more often.

For a torturer like Fusfaru six months is nothing. He has been beating people up for so long. For five years he had the job of torturing people. It is not one or two who have been beaten up. He has been beating people up for so long. Lots of people have told me their stories at the hands of Fusfaru.

Q2: Do you expect to take this judgment to a higher court?

Even if I did go to the highest court here, nothing would happen. Nothing will happen with this regime in power.

Q3: Have you decided that your fight for justice for Evan is now over?

No. It won’t end just like that. It is not going to end. Even if I request a re-trial of Fusfaru the authorities will not allow it. If the government wants to investigate something they will always do that. But not for people like me. The government wouldn’t review a case like this.

Perhaps the reason he did not get justice is because in the hereafter he will be judged. He deserves to be judged there. That is my prayer too. For people like him, let the end be bitter even on Earth. They are well aware of what they have done.

Q4: Just a couple of days back another person died in jail [Muaviath Mahmood]. What are your feelings about this, being Evan’s mother?

I was sleeping when the news of Muaviath’s death was bough to me. Someone came and said another person has died. I went to the cemetery where Muaviath’s body was lying and some boys pointed out to me how his larynx was all swollen. It was unbearable to see that beaten boy. I had to leave, I couldn’t bear it.

Q5: Youself and Muaviath ‘s mother are in a similar position. Did you go and speak to her?

Yes, I spoke to her and she said just that he was beaten to death. She was too upset to say anything more than that.

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15 Minutes with Friends of Maldives founder David Hardingham

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Friends of Maldives (FOM) founder David Hardingham.
1)FOM has been doing a lot of relief work for the Maldives, can you outline the types of things you have been doing?
We have sent about 100 tons of Aid to the Maldives comprising of food, water, medical equipment, clothing, tents and household equipment.
Our teams of Maldivian and British volunteers in the Maldives have visited Meemu, Vaavu, Thaa and Laamu Atolls and distributed FOM Aid. Last week an FOM team went to Meedhoo, Maa Eboodhoo, Vaanee, Gemendhoo and Kudahuvadhoo islands in Dhaalu Atoll. People have been very happy and thankful for the quality of Aid.
We have been amazed at the generosity of so many people in the UK. Many of these donators have been to the Maldives and want to help in any way they can. We have had a team of hundreds of volunteers working every day in the UK sorting and packing the Aid.
2) Has FOM found the Maldivian government helpful in your relief efforts?
The Government of Maldives has co-operated with the Friends of Maldives in the FOM Aid effort. I discussed the crisis with Mr Sobir, the High Commissioner to London, following the Tsunami and we agreed that getting help to the people who needed it was of paramount importance. Our differences should be set aside and should work together to get the job done as quickly as possible. We have maintained cordial relations with the Government of Maldives.
3) Has FOM been working with any other organisations?
Yes we have worked with many organisations in the last two months. Obviously we maintain our contacts with other governments – particularly the Europeans – and we have also established contacts with other NGOs. They have been impressed with how quickly we managed to get FOM aid to the islands and the amount of aid we have managed to bring from the UK. We hope to work more with local NGOs in the Maldives in future.
4) Minister for Trade Abdulla Yameen in his December elections speech insinuated that certain groups, such as FOM, are funded by American Christian missionary groups. Is this true?
No, this is absolute rubbish and he knows it. FOM receives funding from members of the public here in Britain and not from any religious group. I don’t think the British public have any agenda other than to help Maldivian people who wish to be helped. As long as Maldivians continue to want the help of FOM then we will be there. Our aim is only to help the Maldivian people. Perhaps Abdulla Yameen has a different agenda.
5) Does FOM have any connection to religion?
The constant allegation of FOM being Christian Missionaries is getting less and less believable. Anybody who knows the Friends of Maldives knows this is not true. FOM have no desire to convert anyone to any religion. I have great respect for Islam. I’ve heard some very silly stories being spread by certain members of the regime about FOM volunteers in Maldives handing out crosses and trying to bring pork and alcohol into the country – utter rubbish.
6) What are your connections with the Maldivian Democratic Party?
We have no affiliation with any particular party. We are very hopeful that the government of Maldives continues on its path towards a fully democratic country. We encourage the international community and their respective governments to continue to encourage the Government of Maldives to allow the registration of the Maldivian Democratic Party and to allow freedom of speech and association. We have friends across the political spectrum in the Maldives.
7) Are you still interested in Human Rights?
I started FOM primarily as a Human Rights organisation. We have been encouraged of late by some improvements in the Human Rights situation in the Maldives. However, we continue to be very concerned about the failure of the government to review the imprisonment of Fareed, the Sandhaanu Three and Naushad Waheed. We are also very concerned about the recent imprisonment of Ahmed Falah and Mohamed Fauzi.
FOM will always be concerned with Human Rights in the Maldives. If we feel the Human Rights situation is deteriorating again then we will refocus our efforts on some of our more political work, such as demonstrations, which we know are very embarrassing to the Maldivian government.
8) What are the future plans for FOM?
We will see what Maldivians want from us. We will be led by local community needs. We cannot dictate what people need from us. We will see how people want to be helped and then we will do our best for them.
We are particularly interested in helping with education and health improvement projects in the Maldives, which islanders have said they want our help for. We are now focussed on twinning schools in Maldives with UK schools, to provide long term support.
We also have confirmation that six British fire-fighters will be going to the Maldives during March to help with the FOM Aid distribution. This has achieved widespread media coverage and support in the UK and their flights have been paid for by sponsorship from people in the UK.

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Friends of Maldives (FOM) founder David Hardingham.

1)FOM has been doing a lot of relief work for the Maldives, can you outline the types of things you have been doing?

We have sent about 100 tons of Aid to the Maldives comprising of food, water, medical equipment, clothing, tents and household equipment.

Our teams of Maldivian and British volunteers in the Maldives have visited Meemu, Vaavu, Thaa and Laamu Atolls and distributed FOM Aid. Last week an FOM team went to Meedhoo, Maa Eboodhoo, Vaanee, Gemendhoo and Kudahuvadhoo islands in Dhaalu Atoll. People have been very happy and thankful for the quality of Aid.

We have been amazed at the generosity of so many people in the UK. Many of these donators have been to the Maldives and want to help in any way they can. We have had a team of hundreds of volunteers working every day in the UK sorting and packing the Aid.

2) Has FOM found the Maldivian government helpful in your relief efforts?

The Government of Maldives has co-operated with the Friends of Maldives in the FOM Aid effort. I discussed the crisis with Mr Sobir, the High Commissioner to London, following the Tsunami and we agreed that getting help to the people who needed it was of paramount importance. Our differences should be set aside and should work together to get the job done as quickly as possible. We have maintained cordial relations with the Government of Maldives.

3) Has FOM been working with any other organisations?

Yes we have worked with many organisations in the last two months. Obviously we maintain our contacts with other governments – particularly the Europeans – and we have also established contacts with other NGOs. They have been impressed with how quickly we managed to get FOM aid to the islands and the amount of aid we have managed to bring from the UK. We hope to work more with local NGOs in the Maldives in future.

4) Minister for Trade Abdulla Yameen in his December elections speech insinuated that certain groups, such as FOM, are funded by American Christian missionary groups. Is this true?

No, this is absolute rubbish and he knows it. FOM receives funding from members of the public here in Britain and not from any religious group. I don’t think the British public have any agenda other than to help Maldivian people who wish to be helped. As long as Maldivians continue to want the help of FOM then we will be there. Our aim is only to help the Maldivian people. Perhaps Abdulla Yameen has a different agenda.

5) Does FOM have any connection to religion?

The constant allegation of FOM being Christian Missionaries is getting less and less believable. Anybody who knows the Friends of Maldives knows this is not true. FOM have no desire to convert anyone to any religion. I have great respect for Islam. I’ve heard some very silly stories being spread by certain members of the regime about FOM volunteers in Maldives handing out crosses and trying to bring pork and alcohol into the country – utter rubbish.

6) What are your connections with the Maldivian Democratic Party?

We have no affiliation with any particular party. We are very hopeful that the government of Maldives continues on its path towards a fully democratic country. We encourage the international community and their respective governments to continue to encourage the Government of Maldives to allow the registration of the Maldivian Democratic Party and to allow freedom of speech and association. We have friends across the political spectrum in the Maldives.

7) Are you still interested in Human Rights?

I started FOM primarily as a Human Rights organisation. We have been encouraged of late by some improvements in the Human Rights situation in the Maldives. However, we continue to be very concerned about the failure of the government to review the imprisonment of Fareed, the Sandhaanu Three and Naushad Waheed. We are also very concerned about the recent imprisonment of Ahmed Falah and Mohamed Fauzi.

FOM will always be concerned with Human Rights in the Maldives. If we feel the Human Rights situation is deteriorating again then we will refocus our efforts on some of our more political work, such as demonstrations, which we know are very embarrassing to the Maldivian government.

8) What are the future plans for FOM?

We will see what Maldivians want from us. We will be led by local community needs. We cannot dictate what people need from us. We will see how people want to be helped and then we will do our best for them.

We are particularly interested in helping with education and health improvement projects in the Maldives, which islanders have said they want our help for. We are now focussed on twinning schools in Maldives with UK schools, to provide long term support.

We also have confirmation that six British fire-fighters will be going to the Maldives during March to help with the FOM Aid distribution. This has achieved widespread media coverage and support in the UK and their flights have been paid for by sponsorship from people in the UK.

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15 Minutes with Ibra

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with MDP MP-elect Ibrahim Ismail.
1) You have just returned from a trip to the UK. What was the purpose of the visit?
Mainly it was to familiarise myself with the Westminster system. Also to meet MPs, the British Foreign Office and others who have been very supportive of reform ideas and the reform programme in the Maldives. Also, I specifically wanted to meet Friends of Maldives who have been assisting in the Tsunami relief work.
2) You’ve also been in the media a lot whilst you were in the UK and have been very outspoken. Do you have any apprehensions about returning to the Maldives?
Well, yes and no. Yes because my past experience shows that the police have not always been rational. They have consistently broken the law in arresting people. No because I have not committed any offences under Maldivian law.
3) Of course, you didn’t commit any offences during the 12-13th August rally but you were still jailed.
Precisely. I have some apprehension because the police haven’t always been rational in their arrests. I did not commit any offence on 12-13th August yet they kept me under arrest for months.
4) On the question of the police, you must have now seen the pictures of the shootings of inmates Maafushi Jail in September 2003, that were recently published in the Dhivehi Observer. How did the photos make you feel?
Sickened. And it wasn’t just the photos. I’ve been reading some of the statements from the Commission’s enquiry into the shootings and I’m sickened to my guts that something like this could happen. That there has been an attempted cover-up makes it even worse.
The portions in the Commission’s report that were removed; it was clear that a lot more people were involved and should be charged and they haven’t been. If the statements hadn’t become public we would never have known how brutal the whole thing was.
5) On the question of imprisonment, I’d like to raise the question of four constituents of yours, namely Fathimath Nisreen, Mohamed Zaki, Ahmed Ibrahim Didi (the Sandhaanu prisoners) and Naushad Waheed. All four are under lengthy periods of detention and are also Amnesty International Prisoners of Conscience. What are your thoughts on their continued detention?
They should be released immediately. I don’t believe they committed a crime and I don’t believe they had a fair trial – they didn’t have access to lawyers for instance. I think their Constitutional rights have been violated.
6) Amnesty International said they have been jailed solely for excising their right to freedom of expression. Would you agree?
Yes.
7) Some people have said that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shouldn’t engage, shouldn’t talk to, the government until all political prisoners are released. What are your comments on that?
I don’t think that is a sound position to take. Whilst MDP does espouse the human rights issues, MDP is larger than human rights alone and I think in order to make progress we must engage with the government. That’s not to say we should compromise any principals and policies, we will not, but I seriously believe we can only see results through some sort of engagement with the government. But ultimately, that’s for the MDP Council to decide and that’s my view on that.
8) How do you see the reform process moving on? President Gayoom has repeatedly said over the last week that it’s a matter for the Special Majlis. He’s done his bit, he’s given you his ideas, now it’s up to the parliament to enact them.
Technically, President Gayoom can say that but we all know he controls the Special Majlis. He controls when it sits and when it doesn’t sit. It’s a bit pretentious for him to say that.
In the reform programme he has outlined, there are many things that don’t require constitutional change and he doesn’t have to wait for the Majlis to make these things happen.
Political party registration is one of these things, as is freedom of association and a free press. These are critical things that the President could do tomorrow if he wants to. Indeed, why have they not been done already? I don’t know why, only he knows why.
There is nothing to stop him [Gayoom] doing these things. If he is genuine about his commitment to reform why is he delaying in doing these things?
The onus on the President is to get things going.
9) Some political analysts have expressed concern that although specific reforms have been outlined, there is no road-map to reform and broad principals are not being discussed. Would you agree?
If you look at things the reform-minded people have been talking about for a long time and what the President talked about on June 9th last year, they do relate to these broad principals.
What is lacking is a coherent and strict timeline to bring about change. For instance, there are many things in the reform issues which are inter-linked. We now need to decide how we will bring them about, which ones first and what effect will certain reforms have on others. That strategic planning is missing. It is not clear who will do it. But if we don’t have that the whole thing could be de-railed very easily.

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with MDP MP-elect Ibrahim Ismail.

1) You have just returned from a trip to the UK. What was the purpose of the visit?

Mainly it was to familiarise myself with the Westminster system. Also to meet MPs, the British Foreign Office and others who have been very supportive of reform ideas and the reform programme in the Maldives. Also, I specifically wanted to meet Friends of Maldives who have been assisting in the Tsunami relief work.

2) You’ve also been in the media a lot whilst you were in the UK and have been very outspoken. Do you have any apprehensions about returning to the Maldives?

Well, yes and no. Yes because my past experience shows that the police have not always been rational. They have consistently broken the law in arresting people. No because I have not committed any offences under Maldivian law.

3) Of course, you didn’t commit any offences during the 12-13th August rally but you were still jailed.

Precisely. I have some apprehension because the police haven’t always been rational in their arrests. I did not commit any offence on 12-13th August yet they kept me under arrest for months.

4) On the question of the police, you must have now seen the pictures of the shootings of inmates Maafushi Jail in September 2003, that were recently published in the Dhivehi Observer. How did the photos make you feel?

Sickened. And it wasn’t just the photos. I’ve been reading some of the statements from the Commission’s enquiry into the shootings and I’m sickened to my guts that something like this could happen. That there has been an attempted cover-up makes it even worse.

The portions in the Commission’s report that were removed; it was clear that a lot more people were involved and should be charged and they haven’t been. If the statements hadn’t become public we would never have known how brutal the whole thing was.

5) On the question of imprisonment, I’d like to raise the question of four constituents of yours, namely Fathimath Nisreen, Mohamed Zaki, Ahmed Ibrahim Didi (the Sandhaanu prisoners) and Naushad Waheed. All four are under lengthy periods of detention and are also Amnesty International Prisoners of Conscience. What are your thoughts on their continued detention?

They should be released immediately. I don’t believe they committed a crime and I don’t believe they had a fair trial – they didn’t have access to lawyers for instance. I think their Constitutional rights have been violated.

6) Amnesty International said they have been jailed solely for excising their right to freedom of expression. Would you agree?

Yes.

7) Some people have said that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shouldn’t engage, shouldn’t talk to, the government until all political prisoners are released. What are your comments on that?

I don’t think that is a sound position to take. Whilst MDP does espouse the human rights issues, MDP is larger than human rights alone and I think in order to make progress we must engage with the government. That’s not to say we should compromise any principals and policies, we will not, but I seriously believe we can only see results through some sort of engagement with the government. But ultimately, that’s for the MDP Council to decide and that’s my view on that.

8 ) How do you see the reform process moving on? President Gayoom has repeatedly said over the last week that it’s a matter for the Special Majlis. He’s done his bit, he’s given you his ideas, now it’s up to the parliament to enact them.

Technically, President Gayoom can say that but we all know he controls the Special Majlis. He controls when it sits and when it doesn’t sit. It’s a bit pretentious for him to say that.

In the reform programme he has outlined, there are many things that don’t require constitutional change and he doesn’t have to wait for the Majlis to make these things happen.

Political party registration is one of these things, as is freedom of association and a free press. These are critical things that the President could do tomorrow if he wants to. Indeed, why have they not been done already? I don’t know why, only he knows why.

There is nothing to stop him [Gayoom] doing these things. If he is genuine about his commitment to reform why is he delaying in doing these things?

The onus on the President is to get things going.

9) Some political analysts have expressed concern that although specific reforms have been outlined, there is no road-map to reform and broad principals are not being discussed. Would you agree?

If you look at things the reform-minded people have been talking about for a long time and what the President talked about on June 9th last year, they do relate to these broad principals.

What is lacking is a coherent and strict timeline to bring about change. For instance, there are many things in the reform issues which are inter-linked. We now need to decide how we will bring them about, which ones first and what effect will certain reforms have on others. That strategic planning is missing. It is not clear who will do it. But if we don’t have that the whole thing could be de-railed very easily.

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