Author: Minivan News

The Ministry of Information and Arts has said that it is unable to predict when private broadcasters will be allowed to begin transmitting in the Maldives.

Recently, the Ministry retracted its promise to grant permits to private broadcasters, which were scheduled to be issue at the end of last October.

In an explanation of its action, the government said that before transmission could begin an act of parliament governing private broadcasting would be needed. They said this was due to the “negative effects of unconditional press freedom”.

The government made this decision despite telling Haveeru Daily two weeks prior that privately owned broadcast media would be able to obtain licences “quickly”.

The decision to prohibit private broadcasting also followed a meeting with members of the International Mission for Press Freedom (which is comprised of several press freedom organisations including Article 19, Reporters Without Borders and the International Federation of Journalists) in May. At the meeting, the Information Ministry reportedly promised a “rapid authorisation of private broadcasters and the creation of a Media Advisory Board consisting of leading figures”.

Speaking of the Maldivian Government’s decision, the International Mission said: “[We] understand that a legal framework is needed for the licensing of private broadcasters in line with the practice around the world. We do not believe, however, that there is any reason why such a legal framework should not have been developed by now.”

The statement continued: “the official ‘Roadmap for the Reform Agenda’ said legislation of privately-owned broadcast media (putting an end to the State monopoly on radio and television) would be completed by 31 October. However, on 1 November 2006 it was announced that this legislation has been delayed.”

In its latest statement, given earlier this week, the Information Ministry still had no idea when the press freedom section of the President’s Roadmap would be implemented. Speaking to Hamma Daily on the situation, Mohamed Arif, a senior official at the Ministry said: “Now there is a draft Bill in the Majlis (General Assembly). I don’t know when the Bill will be passed by the Majlis to allow us issue permits to private broadcasters to start their businesses in the country”.

When asked why the government has failed to deliver its promise Arif replied: “We changed the plan as there was no law to regulate the activity”.

Several parties have reportedly invested millions in broadcasting technology when the government initially announced a date for allowing private broadcasters to do business. These parties claim that due to the delays in awarding permits they are presently handling unnecessary costs.

Reports say that more than 30 parties applied for broadcasting licenses before October.

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Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a statement asking all Maldivians to assist them in destroying mosquito breeding grounds throughout the country.

The DPH’s request is a vital component of its new programme initiated to combat several mosquito-borne diseases, which have recently attacked the county. These include fever, Dengue fever and Chikungunya.

In order to combat the diseases effectively, the department says wider participation is needed from the general public. Dr Mohamed Jamsheed, Director of DPH, has urged everyone to take part in the endeavour.

In an interview with Hamma Daily Jamsheed said: “The present outbreak has reached dangerous proportions in Raa, Meem and Kaaf Atolls. Therefore we are giving priority to controlling the mosquitoes in these atolls.”

Jamsheed said that many Maldivians mistakenly believe that the only way to control mosquitoes is by spraying disinfectants. But this, he said, is the last thing required for destroying breeding grounds.

The most important action, as DPH previously advocated, is to drain every possible entity that harbours stating water, as they are favourable for mosquito breeding.

The Chikungunya outbreak became politicised when the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) published a report on the outbreak, which blamed the government for not taking the disease seriously.

MDP published its report after many islanders in the atolls claimed that the authorities had done little to address the outbreak initially.

Some analysts began expressing fears that DPH and the Health Ministry were “playing down” the incident so that it would not have negative consequences for the country’s tourism industry.

But soon the effects of Chikungunya and the other mosquito-borne diseases were too serious for anyone not to notice.

In the days before the New Year, Hospitals and health post were reportedly packed across the country with patients who had been diagnosed with Chikungunya. One such hospital, IGMH, in Male’, was so full that it could not admit further patients.

An official from DPH said that as of December 19, 135 Maldivians had been suspected of being infected with Chikungunya, which had been blamed for deaths in both Male’ and some Atolls.

Even Finance Minister, Gasim Ibrahim, was admitted to ADK Hospital with the virus.

Chikungunya is generally not fatal. However, last year, 200 deaths were associated with the disease on Reunion Island and India (especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh). The European Network for Diagnostics of “Imported” Viral Diseases (ENIVD) claims that new phylogenetic variants of virus, which are fatal, have also been identified on Reunion.

According to recent reports, the numbers of Maldivians in Meem Atoll who have caught the fever are highest in Dhiggaru, Maduvvari and Naalaafushi. The highest number of people who have caught Chikungunya and dengue are presently found in Raa Atoll.

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President Gayoom has recently stated that 2007 should be the time when all political parties in the Maldives unite to form a new pluralist consensus on the future of the country.

Gayoom expressed his wish in an end-of-the-year letter to world leaders and influential stakeholders in post-tsunami recovery and democratic reform.

He also said he was confident that the legal framework and mechanisms of the first liberal democracy in the Maldives would be completed sometime during 2007.

Speaking to the government, Gayoom went on to say that it should “redouble its efforts to ensure a peaceful transition to a modern, liberal democracy”.

But the President’s critics say they have heard Gayoom deliver unfulfilled promises to the international community many times in the past and fear that his latest message is no different.

Regardless of one’s political affiliation, it would be difficult to disagree that the Maldives is currently more democratic than at any other time in its recent history.

Many may also agree with the President that 2006 has been “a year of change, progress and recovery for the Maldives”, but some believe not nearly enough has been done.

In his letter, Gayoom noted his “Roadmap” for reform agenda, which he regarded as a success. He pointed out that the People’s Majlis has concluded all debates on all chapters of the new constitution and said the country remained well on track to conclude its work within the timelines set out in the Roadmap and meet its ultimate goal of multi-party elections in 2008.

But where Gayoom sees success many others, especially those belonging to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) see failure.

Speaking of the government’s Roadmap, MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) said his party was not accepting it because the goals that it listed were not being accomplished on time.

“President Gayoom has failed to implement the goals set in is own Roadmap,” said Anni. “Governments in other countries also draw roadmaps, however, the difference is that they implement the goals set in the roadmaps on time.”

Anni also said: “on 15 May, after Gayoom’s freedom of assembly decree, we saw the Roadmap fail in the first instance. More people were arrested a that time than at any other point in his repressive rule.”

He continued: “Gayoom has lost his façade. He’s been exposed. He never had any intention of reforming. He tried to spin, through glossy brochures and sneaky boys (those ‘New Maldives’ ministers), that reform was going on. Events have deviated too far from the Roadmap.”

Spin or not, 2006 has seen the Maldives enter numerous international organisations that promote human rights and democracy. Last year, the country joined the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), the ICESCR (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) and became the 12th country to ratify OPCAT (Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture).

Gayoom assures that the Maldives’ enrolment in these groups will play a meaningful role in creating a credible international mechanism to promote human rights.

In the conclusion of his letter, the President said that much more remains to be done to repair and reconstruct properties damaged by the tsunami. He noted, however, that a great deal had already been achieved in getting lives and livelihoods back to normal and that the country continues to be on course to attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

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Acting President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, has publicly blamed the government for the increase in crime that is currently spreading throughout the country.

Zaki said that the security situation in the Maldives is getting worse because the government has failed to maintain peace and harmony. He said this was especially true in the capital Male’, where gang violence has increased over the past several weeks.

“The problem is that the government is not capable of maintaining peace and harmony,” said Zaki. “ The government is doing nothing to control the gang violence. If the government works towards controlling violence there would be positive results.”

Zaki continued by saying: “the other reason why gang violence increases is because in a real transition period like this, there should be a national unity government in the country.”

But some analysts have not been convinced by Zaki’s assertion. They say they do not believe it is the government’s lack of harmony that is promoting violence, but that it is rather drug addiction and lack of police enforcement.

Even Police Spokesman, Corporal Shiyam admitted that the recent violence was not political, but rather the result of long standing gang warfare. While Shiyam would not give his opinion on weather he believed the violence was a result of the widespread heroin addiction among Maldivian youths, most analysts are convinced of a link. They also believe the Maldives Police Service is to blame.

On Friday, the Police issued a statement saying that they had arrested nine people in Male’ who were suspected of being involved with local gangs.

Those arrested were between the ages of 16 and 24 and were reportedly bearing weapons near Taise Yard when they were apprehended. The weapons included wooden sticks, steel bars and cricket bats.

Police, however are still searching for gang members who have taken part in this and other fights and are in hiding. This has led many to heavily criticise the force- especially the local press.

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) have also said that the disturbances caused by gangs in Male’ have not been effectively controlled by the police.

It said that on three consecutive nights gangs had used “sharp weapons” to attack civilians, houses, offices and properties, causing huge losses and damages.

HRCM also said that it had received reports from civilians that said the police had failed to control the disturbances.

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Eighteen Maldivian trainees returned from Australia last week for the purpose of improving the administration at Maafushi Prison.

Instructed according to recommendations given by the Australian Consultant, the reinforcements reportedly received practical experience in Perth, Western Australia.

The 18 trainees were the final group to receive training under the Home Affairs Ministry’s current programme to improve prison conditions, however, Deputy Minister Azim Shukoor has confirmed that the government plans to send more people abroad for training in 2007.

“Even if the plan doesn’t work out,” said Shukoor, “we will bring international experts home and conduct the training in the Maldives. We will soon start discussions on obtaining the opportunity to send people abroad for training”.

Some critics have recently expressed criticism towards the Ministry’s programme. They say that despite the fact that last year’s trainees are currently working in Maafushi, the prison continues to be unorganised and hectic.

Just this week, Haveeru Daily reported that nearly two hundred prisoners broke out of their cells and began fighting on the grounds.

An official at the Maldives Police Service confirmed that the fight occured on the evening of 31 December, but assured that the incident was immediately brought under control.

While the police refused to give any further details on the situation, the Home Affairs Ministry said that the fight broke out in Unit 2 of the prison after some prisoners attempted to escape. Apparently the security guards needed support form the Police Force to get the prisoners back to the unit.

Despite some minimal damages occurring in the cells, all inhabitants and police officers were unharmed.

In a similar incident that took place earlier in December, 154 prisoners started a rebellion and took Maafushi prison guards hostage after stealing a set of keys.

The prisoners were demanding greater rights, including more time out of their cells. Speaking to Minivan News, one of the prisoners said that he was kept in a cell with just one additional person and only let out from one until four.

He said: “We have been doing what they say but now we are standing up for our rights.”

The Home Affairs Ministry hopes that under its new training programme both the rights of prisoners and prison staff will be more respected and enforced.

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The Ministry of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security has released new statistics, which reveal that the number of expatriates working in the Maldives has surpassed the 53,000 mark.

The study shows that the three countries with the most nationals working in the Maldives are: India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. Over 19,000 workers from India are employed in the Maldives, 18,000 are from Bangladesh and approximately 7,000 come from Sri Lanka.

Data from the study, which has been published on the Ministry’s website, show that the construction industry hires the most expatriates with over 16,000 foreign employees registered as working in the trade.

The second highest number of registered expatriates in the country work in the tourism sector, which presently employees around 10,000 people.

Also, over 6,000 foreign workers are currently registered in the business and commercial sector, making it the third largest industry providing jobs for non-Maldivian nationals. The Ministry’s study also found that a significant increase of expatriate employees in the schools and education sector is also occurring.

Since the Employment Ministry’s last survey, nearly 8,000 more foreign workers were found to be employed in the Maldives.

This increase has occurred despite the Government publicly stating that it would like to see more Maldivians take over the jobs that are occupied by foreigners.

To help make their wish a reality, the Employment Ministry initiated the “Yes Campaign” in November, which is a job workshop that travels throughout the Maldives and aims to train youths for employment.

It has been estimated that thousands of young Maldivians will be provided with training under the program, which is intended to continue for five years.

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The Maldivian government has publicly condemned the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

The main reason behind the Government’s disapproval was the fact that Hussein was hanged on the day of Al’ha Eid- the biggest festival celebrated in the Islamic world.

Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed said that Hussein’s hanging on Al’ha Eid was “unacceptable” to the Maldivian government and that the action will do nothing but threaten the unity among Muslims and exacerbate existing conflicts.

“We condemn the crimes committed by Saddam during his rule,” said Shaheed. “He deserves to be punished. But hanging him will exacerbate conflicts among Muslims and threaten the unity of the Muslim world. This was not how it must have been done.”

Chief Government Spokesperson Hussain Shareef also spoke against the capital punishment used against Hussein.

“Hanging Saddam on the day of Al’haa Eid,” Said Shareef, “was an action that caused humiliation to Muslims.”

Shaheed went on to explain how the government of Maldives believed that Hussein’s hanging would intensify the current hostilities in Iraq.

“We are very concerned about the situation in Iraq,” said Shaheed, “Saddam’s execution will make things worse, he was hanged after he was found guilty of killing 148 Shi’ites in Dujail in 1982. Countries across the world have been condemning this punishment.”

The Maldivian Government was not the only group in the Maldives who criticised Hussein’s execution. The third political party to be recognised in the country, the Adhaalath Party (AP), said that the former Iraqi President was executed by the “Zionist and colonial powers” on the day of the Moslem Grand Festival deliberately to hurt the feelings of Muslims and intimidate them.

AP also went on to condemn the recent invasion of Iraq by foreign countries and said that it condemned the illegal occupation of Iraq by “the colonial powers of the United States of America and the United Kingdom”.

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The Maldives College of Higher Education has announced that it wants to establish a University by Presidential Decree.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Rector Dr. Hassan Hameed, said the college had proposed a draft decree to the President’s Office on December 18, after approval by the College directors.

In 2005, President Gayoom announced that the government would grant university status to the Maldives College of Higher Education in 2007. The President also stipulated a university must be established within an independent framework.

Since Gayoom’s announcement, the College has been working to meet the goal.

Dr Hassan said the regulation proposed to the President was drafted to international standards, which he claimed was proof the college supported an independent University.

“Our goal in the 5th National Development Plan was to carry out preparations until the end of 2005,” said Dr Hassan. “Five years ago, the Government gave us indication of plans to establish a University. Our work is being carried out according to this vision. We plan to proceed with the work we couldn’t finish in 2005.”

Dr Hassan went on to say that the college has reached every one of its short-term goals and the rest of the work would take 2-6 years to complete. He said the final opening date for the University is now up to the President.

The draft university regulation gives the College six months until it would begin to work under University status.

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Police arrested nine people in Male’ on Friday suspected of involvement with local gangs.

They were between 16 and 24 and were reportedly bearing weapons near Taise Yard when they were apprehended by Police.

According to the Maldives Police Service, who were making a routine patrol when the arrests were made, weapons confiscated included wooden sticks, steel bars and cricket bats.

The Police action comes after a raise in the level of gang violence in Male’. Earlier this month ten people, including three police officers, were injured and many properties damaged as rival gangs battled each other on the streets of the capital.

So far, police say a total of nine people have been arrested in connection with the disturbances but that investigations are far from over.

This most recent violence is believed to have been sparked by two incidents: the beating of a thirteen-year-old boy, hospitalised earlier this month, and an attack on a man at Trends restaurant on 17 December.

The incidents sparked retribution and violence throughout the night of the 17th. Armed gangs were seen roaming the streets with swords, knives, bats and other weapons.

The police have been heavily criticised by the local press and public for not taking more action quicker. But authorities insist they did everything in their power to stop the violence and have since raised the number of police patrolling the streets.

Commenting on the most recent wave of violence, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said the gang warfare is unprecedented and “totally shocking”.

Police Spokesman, Corporal Shiyam, says the violence is not political, but rather the result of long standing gang rivalries.

The growing gang culture in the Maldives is closely linked to widespread heroin addiction.

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