Day: September 12, 2010

National interests being put before political differences, claims President

President Mohamed Nasheed has congratulated party leaders of both the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) for putting national interest ahead of political differences.

Speaking during his weekly radio address, Nasheed said talks between the government and DRP to determine inhabited islands were going “very smoothly”. The review of the islands is necessary to comply with local elections law.

Nasheed also promised the Maldives would use its seat on the UN Human Rights Council – which is assumes on Sept 13 – to promote human rights in other countries and consolidate democracy and human rights in the Maldives.

The Maldives faces numerous domestic challenges to human rights, including what the government has previously described as a ‘culture of torture’ that persists in certain institutions, while the US State Department recently put the Maldives on a watch list for human trafficking.

Minivan News recently reported that the exploitation of Bangladeshi labourers rivals fishing as the Maldives’ second greatest export earner after tourism.

“[Human rights] were denied to Maldivians until recently. We will use the seat to consolidate democracy in the Maldives, and protect human rights in the Maldives,” Nasheed said.

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Spreading hate, one prejudice at a time

No country or religon has a monopoly on religious nutcases, writes Vir Sanghvi in the Hindustan Times.

So much was read into the announcement by Pastor Terry Jones that he would burn the Koran on the anniversary of 9/11 that this formerly obscure preacher must be delighted. His Koran-burning announcement set off a global debate about Islamophobia. Editorials were written about the clash of civilisations.

And the world’s politicians — starting with Barack Obama — lined up to persuade the old boy to throw his match-box away on that day.

Jones wants us to notice. That’s why he announced his intentions well in advance. And that’s why he has gone on TV denouncing Islam. In the process, he has converted himself from a previously obscure figure to the lead item on news broadcasts all over the world. We have elevated him from small-town weirdo to global champion of redneck ignorance — and he didn’t even have to burn the Koran. All he had to do was threaten to burn it.

In that sense, he is no different from Osama bin Laden who kills people and then puts out videotapes bragging about the murder. No religion and no country has any monopoly on religious nutcases. And sadly, hatred always finds a market.

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Letter on monitoring Pakistan aid

Dear Ambassador, High Commission of Pakistan, Maldives

I am a Maldivian citizen who is exalted that the Maldivian people joined as a nation to raise funds for your country, the people of Pakistan who are affected by floods.

I am a concerned citizen about how the money is collected in the name of Pakistan citizens as there are no transparent systems in the Maldives to monitor the money being raised.

I wish that the Government of Pakistan would take this opportunity, at this time of need to help the Pakistan people, to establish transparent and accountable systems so that the international community’s confidence is built.

Establishing monitoring mechanisms is one way to raise further support and guarantee the voice of the affected communities.

I would aspire that you would establish monitoring systems at all levels so that corruption can be rooted out as much as possible.

The monitoring systems are required based on previous experiences with disasters in the developing countries (including the tsunami in the South Asian countries).

By maintaining a monitoring mechanism, the government of Pakistan and SAARC countries can play an effective role.

I wish the citizens of affected people of Pakistan a fast recovery. I commend the Government of Pakistan’s efforts in relief work to help people of Pakistan.

Yours sincerely

Fathimath Afiya

All letters pieces are the sole view of the author and do not reflect the editorial policy of Minivan News. If you would like to write an opinion piece, please send proposals to [email protected]

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