Category: Politics

Minivan News spends 15 minutes with Tanya Husney (Taani), the former wife of democracy detainee Abdulla Rasheed (IC) who was transferred to house arrest this week after 100 days in solitary confinement. Taani was interviewed in her home in Colombo, where she currently lives with their ten-year-old son, Thaim.

1) Many Maldivians know you as an apolitical person but you have been active recently, campaigning for the release of the pro-democracy detainees. Why is this?

I’ve not been a political person before and I’ve never wanted to get into politics but now I feel that I have no choice. My closest family, people I grew up with, have all been taken to jail for doing nothing other than standing up for their beliefs and doing the right thing.

They have been imprisoned, tortured and made out to be criminals when they’ve done nothing wrong. I felt I had no choice but to stand up for them, I felt I had to do something right, not only for my family and friends but also for our people.

After Evan Naseem’s death I didn’t want to believe that all this torture was going on. I didn’t want to believe that Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, as President, would allow these things to happen in Maldivian jails. I just couldn’t believe it could happen. In my eyes Gayoom was the perfect President and I had a lot of respect for him. After Jenny Latheef was arrested and these reports of torture continued to come out I was forced to start thinking. After Black Friday – and watching the suffering my own child has had to go through because his father [IC] was arrested that day – I was forced to face reality and break out of my state of self-denial. I realised that we have no human rights in the Maldives.

2) Amnesty International and the Maldivian Human Right Commission have reported that many of the detainees have suffered gross human rights abuses whilst in jail. Who do you think should take responsibility for this?

Maumoon for one should take the blame. He is the President of the country and all powers are concentrated in him. Naturally he has to take the ultimate responsibility for what happens.

3) And I believe that you have heard of the abuse that your ex-husband, IC, has suffered?

Yes, I know with absolute certainty he has suffered. He was beaten so badly during his arrest that he had to be rushed to hospital, suffering from semi-paralysis in his legs, chest pains and breathing difficulties. This has been extremely upsetting for all of us, especially our ten year-old son. Normally IC will come to visit him here in Sri Lanka or at least calls him from Male’ but obviously he hasn’t been able to do this whilst he’s been in jail. Until IC’s transferal to house arrest this week, our son kept asking why Bappa had not been released, why Bappa was still there [jailed] when the other prisoners have been released. It’s been a very traumatic experience for him.

4) The Attorney General has publicly stated that he plans to press ahead with charging many of the August detainees. Dr Shaheed has said that the detainees were engaged in ‘mob violence’. Can you comment on that?

I’m amazed how blatantly our politicians lie. I just can’t believe they really think the Black Friday detainees are criminals, especially an educated man like Dr Shaheed. Where have they studied? More to the point, what have they learnt? People like Dr Shaheed, how could he turn a blind eye to the real truth and lie to the whole world? Everybody knows he is lying. When there is endemic corruption in the Maldives, when people are allowed to get away with torture, murder and rape – why doesn’t Dr Shaheed ever admit to or talk about that?

5) What future do you see for your country?

With this regime in power, I don’t see anything to be positive about. They will never be able change unless we, the people, stand up as we did on the 12-13th August and do something about this.

6) Are you advocating violence?

No. I’m a non-violent person, a Gandhian. There was no violence on the 12-13th demonstration except by paid sympathisers of the regime. I would never advocate violent protest but I fully support civil disobedience. We need to get out of this feudal way of thinking and realise that we have god-given rights and we must stand up for them.

7) If you could give a message to President Gayoom and his associates right now, what would it be?

My advice would be firstly, that the people you have detained are not criminals so let them go. Secondly, I would ask him to allow Maldivians the rights other people have, the rights people here in Sri Lanka have for example. I would ask him to allow free elections for President – not with just one name on the ballot paper – and allow us the freedom to speak and think what we like and the freedom to peacefully demonstrate. My advice would be to give the people their rights, which are enshrined in our constitution.

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Opposition MPs Mohamed Shihab and Hussain Afeef have been released from Dhoonidhoo Jail after being interrogated by the NSS.

The two MPs were summons to the police station in Male’ late yesterday morning and were then transferred to Dhoonidhoo Jail. They were released from the jail yesterday evening, reports from Male’ have confirmed. Both MPs – though no charges have been bought against them – have been told by the NSS that they are not allowed to leave the Maldives without prior government permission.

It has been reported that the NSS focused their questions on why the two MPs were present at the peaceful pro-democracy rally on 12-13th August 2004.

Sources close to Mohamed Shihab have complained of the political motivation for the MP’s arrests. It is thought that Mr Shihab was arrested because he was contesting for the Male’ seat in the upcoming parliamentary election and the authorities were concerned that he may be elected by the people of Male’. It is believed Mr Shihab’s arrest, even for a few hours, was an attempt to make detainee feel threatened as he pursues his campaign to get elected from Male’ next month as a reformist member of parliament.

As Mr Hussein Afeef’s was being arrested, it was reported that he asked the arresting police officer if “the Speaker had been informed”. Apparently unaware of parliamentary protocol, the policeman asked which speaker Mr Afeef was referring to. Mr Afeef explained that since he is a member of parliament the Speaker of the Majlis has to be informed if he is summoned to the police. The policeman, clearly baffled by this, said he didn’t know. Mr Afeef therefore refused to accept the summons chit.

It was reported that following this, the Deputy Commissioner of Police telephoned Mr Afeef and instructed him to come to the police station in Male’ and that the Speaker of the Majlis had been informed. After this, Mr Afeef went to the police station and was promptly transferred to Dhoonidhoo for interrogation.

Whilst there, sources report that Mr Afeef was questioned about his involvement in the demonstration on 12-13th August. Mr Afeef replied that he was with other MPs on the night of 12 August when the then Information Minister, Mr Ibrahim Manik, telephoned one of the MPs saying that the President had requested the MPs to go to the Republic Square to calm down the crowd. Mr Afeef told the police that he went there to calm down the crowd on the government’s request and that he shook hands with the Minister of State for Defense and National Security at the Square and a high official in the defense ministry and they did not tell the him to leave the square.

The police went onto question Mr Afeef about the other MPs who went to the Square on the 12th August but Mr Afeef responded by asking the police why they were only interested in the involvement of pro-reformist MPs at the demonstration when pro government MPs such as the MP for Haa Alif Mr Ahmed Nizam, the MP for Dhaalu Atoll Mr Ismail Zahir and the President’s Member of the Special Majlis Dr Fathin Hameed were also present. The police refused to comment.

Mr Afeef was then asked if he persuaded anyone to chant for the cabinet and the President to resign. He stated that he did not but the demonstrators did have freedom of speech as guaranteed by the constitution.

Mr Afeef went onto describe to the police that during the police baton-charge of the peaceful crowd, he saw a policeman beating up a 14 year-old boy with a baton. The police did not include this in Mr Afeef’s statement.

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Minivan News: It has recently been reported that Abbas Ibrahim is a supporter of the Maldivian Democratic Party. As MDP spokesperson, could you verify this please?

Latheef: The MDP stands for rational, transparent, accountable governance. It stands for freedom and liberal democracy, for the rule of law with a respect for human rights. I am not convinced that Mr Abbas Ibrahim adheres to these concepts.

If he has taken a u-turn and now espouses such values, then I for one am not aware of this dramatic change in his character. I cannot understand how a person can support an organization or a cause without believing in the fundamental principles underlying such as cause.

No, to date, Abbas is not a supporter of the MDP and vice versa.

Minivan News: There has also been speculation that you are somehow close to Abbas. For the record, could you state your relationship to Abbas and tell readers your political opinion of him?

I have read the report that a friend of mine (who is allegedly ‘Abbas’s spokesman’) uses this friendship as ‘proof’ of Abbas’ link to the MDP. Saleem (Sto) is indeed a friend, a relative and an important player in my 1989 Majlis campaign. Saleem is aware that I would not support anyone who props up Gayoom’s illegitimate rule. As Gayoom’s brother-in-law, as a media man and as senior government official Abbas has been a pillar of support for Gayoom’s despotism.

I recall during my brief stint as one of the few non-ministers in the committee that helped draft the present constitution, Abbas was the one who was most virulently opposed any notion of reform. I recall in the very last meeting I attended as a member of the drafting committee (before I was thrown into solitary confinement) other reformists and I persuaded the committee that a separation of powers and independence of the judiciary is an essential prerequisite for a free and democratic society. Abbas stood out as the lone voice of dissent, demanding that such a concept was antithetical to the principals of Islam.

Ironically, in a rare show of political expediency Gayoom, his in-laws, family and cronies have united to elect Abbas, in blatant violation of our constitution, as the speaker of the constituent assembly mandated to reform the present constitution. I believe, given his known reactionary views on social and political reform, Abbas is the least suitable person in the entire country for this important post.

A Majlis convened purportedly to effect substantial constitutional reform cannot have a quintessential reactionary as its head. I believe it is this very lack of competence and this ‘endearing quality’ of virulent opposition to reform of any kind that makes Abbas so imminently suitable in the eyes of brother in law Gayoom.

So let me categorically state, for the record, that neither the MDP nor I as an individual support Abbas Ibrahim.

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Minivan News apologises to all its readers for recent unavailability of the website. The problem has now been rectified and the website is available at: www.minivannewsarchive.com

The web address www.minivanradio.org is still unavailable however.

The reason for the temporary unavailability of the site is thought to be the huge number of visits the website received on Tuesday evening. Minivan News has now changed its internet service provider to increase capacity and ensure the problem does not happen again.

Many thanks,

The Editors

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Two of the most prominent hunger strikers, Shuaib Ali and Mohamed Ziyad (Ziyattey), have been transferred from Dhoonidoo Prison to house arrest in Male’, it was reported yesterday evening.

Both prisoners, arrested after the 12-13th August pro-democracy rally, had been in jail without charge for 96 days. Under the terms of their house arrest, they are forbidden from receiving any visitors or making external communications.

Both prisoners have reportedly suffered horrific torture at the hands of NSS officers.

On Black Friday, Mohamed Ziyad was beaten so badly by NSS officers he passed out. Unable to walk, the NSS dragged him into their van by his arms. Mr Ziyad was also reportedly “maltreated” by police at Maafushi Prison on 19 September 2004, a witness said.

Shuaib Ali was blindfolded and severely beaten on his genitals on Black Friday. Mr Ali’s treatment in detention was so bad that he begged his wife to go to the Maldivian Human Rights Commission and report it.

Both of the prisoners were leading figures in the Dhoonidoo Jail hunger-strike, which ended this week after 10 days, although it was reported that Mohamed Ziyad never broke the strike. Both prisoners are known to be physically weak after their ordeal.

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Reformists in detention are among the 156 candidates who forwarded applications to stand in the forthcoming general elections, reports quoting family members from Male’ said. The Elections Commissioner closed the opportunity to contest at 1400 Hrs Tuesday, announcing that those standing also include 8 women.

Among reformists in detention who made submissions are Hon.Ibrahim Ismail for Male’, Hon Ahmed Adhil for Haa Dhaal Atoll, Mr.Shuaib Ali for Haa Dhaal Atoll, Hon.Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim for South Ari Atoll, Dr.Hussain Rasheed for Thaa Atoll.

Candidates are required to submit an application form including copies of all the material they will be using in their campaign. These include slogans, logos, leaflets, designs of T-shirts, hats, badges and introduction letters to constituents, which would be passed by the Elections Commissioner.

The candidates’ lists would be announced by the end of the month, Elections Commissioner Ahmed Rashad announced on Tuesday. The Maldives government bans campaigning before the announcement of the list. Hence candidates would have 30 days to campaign as polling is set for 31st December, in 21 constituencies of the archipelago.

Many reformists allege that government backed candidates had unlawfully begun their campaigns months ago. Pro-government candidates are permitted to ignore the law and use treasury funds to illegally finance their campaigns, they said. “Many government backed candidates are continuing extensive trips to the islands in their constituencies ostensibly on official business. They campaign as they wish at public expense, meeting and lobbying voters. Government-backed candidates have promised various government funded projects for islands as rewards for voting for them”, the Maldivian Democratic Party said in a statement published early this month.
After the violent break-up of the pro-democracy rally on the 13th August 2004, the Maldives government declared a state of emergency and arrested many reformist MPs and activists. With the state of emergency the President abrogated among others, Article 15 (1) (d) of the Constitution, which states that persons charged with an offence cannot be kept in detention for a period exceeding seven days except as provided by law.
Prior to announcing a date for the upcoming parliamentary elections, the government unlawfully blocked more than 15 potential candidates who had previously garnered popular support. Among these are the existing members of the parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Dr. Mohamed Munavvar as well as Members of the Constitutional Assembly, Mr. Qasim Ibrahim, Hon. Ali Faiz, Hon.Mohamed Naseem, and Hon. Ahmed Shafeeq. 18 pro-democracy activists are also still in jail, including at least one contestant for the general elections, family members of detainees reported from Male’.

Speaking in Colombo, Maldives Democratic Party Spokesperson Mr Mohamed Latheef noted that “the government through its total control of the Maldives media has continued to defame detained reformists. The submission by some of them to contest general elections is a symbol of their resolve not to be intimidated by the brutal tactics of the government.” Asked whether his party, banned in Maldives was participating, he said that “all contestants are standing as independents, as this regime is averse to political association. In addition to known reformists, many other candidates sympathetic to the party are contesting. This is the people’s opportunity to endorse pluralism, freedom of expression, assembly and dissent”.

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Following Friends of Maldives’ protests outside the Maldivian High Commission and Hilton Hotel in London last week, a further protest was held outside the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo on Sunday, 14th September.

The protest in Colombo was organised by Sri Lankans sympathetic to the democracy struggle in the Maldives and wishing to show solidarity with fellow Maldivians democrats jailed in the Maldives.

It was reported to Minivan News that at 5pm around 20-25 people descended upon the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo with placards demanding the release of the hunger-strikers still held in jail in the Maldives after the Maldivian government’s crack-down of the August 12-13th pro-democracy rally.

After about 10 minutes of protest, traffic police came with a public address system and told the protestors to leave the area as they were disrupting the Maldivian High Commissioner’s Eid party. The protestors then left and regrouped around the corner at the Euro Cinema. Around 100 demonstrators are thought to have taken part in the protest outside the cinema.

Meanwhile in London, Friends of Maldives staged another protest outside the Maldivian High Commission in London, which took place yesterday (Monday). A spokesperson for Friends of Maldives stated that “as long as pro-democracy prisoners remain in jail in the Maldives, we will do our utmost to disrupt the functioning of the Maldivian High Commission in London.”

The protestors wore black hoods and were chained together outside the embassy in central London, symbolising the way pro-democracy activists were arrested and held on Black Friday.

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Students at the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) in Male’ have accused President Gayoom of systematically trying to destroy their future by keeping their school grossly under-funded.

CHSE students have complained that in their school of 1,300 pupils only 2 computers have internet access. They also highlight damaging cut-backs by the Ministry for Education in recent months. “Before there was pocket-money given for the students who come from the atolls to study but this has been abolished. The pocket money was especially important for students who came from poorer families” reported students, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“It’s the government’s responsibility to provide better education but they are trying to deprive us of an education.” The students went on to say. “They are trying to keep our generation uneducated.”

The Maldivian Democratic Party has come out in support of the students. In an interview with Minivan News, Mohamed Nasheed said “the MDP feels the under-funding of schools, especially secondary schools, is a component part of a broader government policy to keep Maldivians in the dark. School under-funding is accompanied with a state-controlled media that is banned from criticising Gayoom, draconian checks on books to weed out anything that might challenge the government, and a ban on teaching regime-threatening subjects such as politics. It is a disgraceful situation that benefits Gayoom and his cronies at the expense of the country’s future – its children.”

Students and parents have also previously accused the President of under-funding schools in a direct attempt to keep the population under-educated and therefore less able to criticise his regime.

Whilst Gayoom spends $30,000 per day on personal expenses and CHSE gets less than $2 per student per day, is it surprising students feel Gayoom is stealing their future?

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Maldivian hunger-strikers, arrested after the 12-13th August pro-democracy rally in Male’, have begun their 8th day without food.

Fourteen detainees remain on hunger strike, which started when prisoners in Dhoonidoo Jail refused to break their Ramzan fast on Thursday of last week. The prisoners are striking over their prolonged detention, without charge in solitary confinement, when investigations into their alleged crimes of the 12-13th August appear to be over. Families of the detainees report that the prisoners have not been interviewed by the authorities for weeks.

Those on hunger strike are known to include Ahmed Shafeeq MP, Abdulla Rasheed, MDP Council Member Mohamed Ziyad, Ismail Asif, Saaz Waleed, Shaihk Fareed and Shuaib Ali.

On 7th November 2004, the warden at the interrogation center, Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Manik, requested the wives, relatives and friends of those on hunger strike to go to the interrogation center on Dhoonidhoo Island. Five close associates of the detainees did speak to them. Sources quoting the detainees say that the detainees believe that it is up to the detaining authorities to normalise the situation.

On 10th November, the Maldivian government transferred four detainees from jail to house arrest in Male’. Ilyas Hussein Ibrahim, Ahmed Manik (AKA: Dhumburi), Ahmed Athif (AKA: Soney) and Mohamed Yousuf Fulhu left jail after 88 days in solitary confinement.

The Maldivian Democratic Party in a statement this week said: “The continued detention of those protesting, friends believe, is to thwart their opportunity to participate, some to contest, in the forthcoming general elections, for which the application deadline is the 15th November… Mr.Shuaib Ali, a pro-democracy activist of repute and a would-be candidate in the forthcoming general elections, is believed to be alternating between unconsciousness and fainting spells. His worsening health is causing much distress to family members and friends.” Shuaib Ali has reportedly asked to make his will.

The Maldivian government has played down the hunger strike, claiming many of the hunger strikers are eating dates. The families of the hunger strikers have denied the charge.

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