Police have arrested six men and a under aged child with 40 packets of suspected narcotics in Addu.
Police reported that drugs were discovered during a search of the individuals and their houses.
South police division is now investigating the case.
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(0)Football star Ahmed ‘Ammaday’ Mohamed, captain of the New Radiant Football Club, was caught with a girl inside his room on Maalhos in North Ari Atoll leading to a disturbance involving family members of the girl and other islanders.
An islander who witnessed the incident said that the girl was 18 years-old.
“A group of young boys on the island noticed the girl’s behaviour was odd and followed her secretly to find out what she was about,’’ he said. “They discovered the girl went inside the room of visiting football star Ahmed Mohamed, and so they phoned the girl’s family.’’
A short while later, members of the alerted family went to the house and peeped through an opening in the wall.
“Her brother knocked on the door and tried to kick down the door, but it was locked. They were both stuck inside the room,’’ the witness said. “In the meantime, Ahmed called a group in the island and a second group of men armed with sticks and knives arrived at the place to stop the girl’s family members.’’
After the girl’s family demanded that she come out, he continued, a person with a key to the room opened it and the girl came out leaving Ahmed inside.
“The girl’s brother then assaulted her, leaving her with bruises,’’ the islander said. “The man left that same night.”
According to the islander, Ahmed Mohamed was staying on the island to play for a football tournament held during the Eid holidays.
(0)Dislikes(0)The opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) will not look to battle upcoming local council elections in a coalition with conservative religious group, the Adhaalath Party (AP), an MP has told local news service Miadhu.
MP Rozaina Adam, the Local Council Committee coordinator of the DRP and representative for the Thulusdhoo constituency, says the country’s main political opposition group has no plans to work alongside the AP to try and enhance its prospects during next year’s local elections.
Miadhu reported that there has been rising speculation that DRP members have been actively campaigning alongside their AP counterparts in some constituencies ahead of the council elections scheduled for early February, 2011.
However, the newspaper cites unnamed representatives for both the AP and DRP parties that deny any collaboration strategy for the election.
(0)Dislikes(0)A medical camp organised jointly by Naval officers of the warship USS Momsum and medical staff of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) took place yesterday at the Children’s Park in Male’.
The event is part of a series of social programmes to be conducted with the visiting American Naval officers and MNDF.
Dental information, fitness checks and instruction on first-aid and fire emergencies were offered to children at Saturday’s camp.
(0)Dislikes(0)A 25 year-old man is seriously injured after colliding with an ambulance Saturday morning at the cross section of Orchid Magu and Chandaanee Magu.
According to police, the ambulance was driving with its siren sounding en route to an emergency pickup.
The man sustained injuries to his head, face and arms in the collision and was taken to Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital for treatment.
(0)Dislikes(0)Ali Abdulla, prominent Maldivian businessman and father of the First Lady Laila Ali, died on Friday November 19 aged 69.
Abdulla passed away while being treated for an illness at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. The First Lady was unable to attend the funeral as she was away on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the Dhivehi Observer (DO) reported.
Abdulla entered into business following his banishment for dissent, DO reported, going on to create the Alia business empire which dealt in trade and tourism, opening one of the first modern hotels in Male’.
Late Ali Abdulla was awarded the National Award of Recognition in 1980 acknowledging his contribution to develop the trade of carpentry and wood works in the country.
The funeral was held in the Islamic Centre after the Friday prayer and was attended by President Mohamed Nasheed, who flew home early from a state visit to Sri Lanka.
(0)Dislikes(0)The 2011 State Budget to be deliberated by parliament next week will target more funds for island development, provide soft loans for small business and encourage private sector job growth, President Mohamed Nasheed said yesterday in his weekly radio address.
A shift from line-item to programme budgeting makes next year’s budget “very different from previous years” as it will direct more resources to islands for managing development programmes.
The budget for individual islands “will be much higher than it was in the past”, Nasheed explained, as the government anticipated “the work of ministries will be reduced and especially, when atoll councils and island councils start functioning, the government believes it will have, that it should have, responsibilities to carry out.”
While the budget includes a programme to offer government guarantees on soft loans to small and medium-sized enterprises, he added, economic policies will aim to spur job growth by strengthening the private sector.
“For example, the transport network – 300 new jobs have been created within that system,” he said, reiterating the government’s policy of pursuing public-private partnerships.
Moreover, the Human Resources Ministry is currently compiling a national employment registry to track monthly rates of job losses and employment gains, he revealed.
Gridlock
As the final sittings of the year are set to resume on Monday, parliament remains at loggerheads with the executive over the endorsement of cabinet members, with forced cancellations paralysing the legislature for the past three weeks.
While the opposition majority insist that ministers must be approved individually, MPs of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) favour a ‘block vote’ for all ministers and moreover argue that the issue must be removed from the agenda until parliamentary rules of procedure is amended in light of the landmark Supreme Court ruling last month.
The Supreme Court ruled that while article 171(i) of the parliament’s rules of procedure, which allows nominees to be questioned by committee, does not contradict with constitution, it cannot be used in endorsing cabinet ministers.
Addressing supporters during a campaign rally last week, opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said that although the party engaged in official talks with the government and international mediators “in the end after three months when there is still no way to hold ministers accountable, and when these ministers do as they please, the result ultimately is adverse effect on the lives of the Maldivian people.”
Writing in his website in September, the parliament majority leader argued that parliament was “unable to effectively provide the checks and balances necessary for the system to work democratically” and exercise oversight powers with the cabinet awaiting parliamentary consent.
Thasmeen further claimed that “failure of government officials to appear before the parliament is part of a series of deliberate acts by the government to pave way for autocratic rule,” adding that the opposition “should seriously consider taking legal action against government officials who ignore requests to appear before the parliament.”
The cabinet was reappointed by President Nasheed in July after resigning en masse in protest of the “scorched-earth policies” of the opposition, which it accused of obstruction and attempting to wrest executive control from the government.
DRP MP Ahmed Nihan told Minivan News today that “no MP would obstruct the passing of the budget, but they should advocate on behalf of their constituencies.”
Nihan said that the party would seek to “make adjustments and change some components” as with the 2010 budget, claiming that opposition MPs’ constituencies were neglected by the government.
He further criticised the government for revenue shortfalls due to “failed projects such as privatising IGMH (Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital) and not collecting the full amount for the sale of Dhiraagu shares”.
While he expressed confidence that MPs would “fulfill their constitutional responsibility to pass the budget and ensure that services are provided to the people”, Nihan backed the DRP Leader’s stance on resolving the cabinet issue as the first priority.
“According to the constitution, the Finance Minister has to submit the budget,” he explained. “But we don’t believe there is a Finance Minister right now. What [Thasmeen] is saying is how can we go forward without resolving this. So let’s finish this first.”
(0)Dislikes(0)November 20 marks the 21st anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The CRC is a landmark Convention formulated in 1989, founded upon the collective realisation, understanding and agreement among nations of the world that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance.
The CRC underpins the international agreement articulated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 that the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth. The CRC is the most ratified international treaty, having been signed by all countries of the world, bar two, representing a major milestone in the efforts to achieve a world fit for children.
The Maldives ratified the CRC in 1991, being amongst the earliest signatories to the Convention. Accession to the CRC has achieved substantial benefits for the children of the Maldives. The Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child (Law 9/91), for example, is derived directly from the provisions stipulated in the CRC, providing a legal basis for the protection of children in the Maldives.
The anniversary of the CRC provides an excellent opportunity to take stock of the achievements Maldives has made in the realisation of the rights of children to survival, development, protection and participation as well as to examine opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Maldives has made remarkable progress in development over the last several years having achieved five out of eight Millennium Development Goals ahead of time, making it the first MDG plus country in South Asia. These achievements demonstrate significant progress for Maldivian children with regard to their survival and development. Initial steps are being taken to establish mechanisms for the protection of children. Family and Children Service Centres have been established in the atolls with the intention of bringing protection services closer to the people. There is also widespread dialogue amongst political and civil leaders, as well as the public at large on issues relating to child protection and a greater demand for more urgent and stringent actions to prevent child abuse.
Despite the substantial progress made for Maldivian children, several challenges remain. While the health and nutrition status of children are improving, malnutrition and under-nutrition of children remains persistent throughout the country with one in five Maldivian children under five years being stunted.
The challenges for sustaining achievements in education at the primary level relate to quality and limited opportunities for children with special needs. Furthermore, the low completion rates at lower secondary level combined with limited opportunities for vocational education and recreational opportunities have lead to a whole host of problems surrounding youth including drug abuse, juvenile delinquency and gang violence.
Children continue to be exploited, abused and neglected. The child protection system lacks capacity, adequate resources and proper coordination between agencies responsible for protection, care and rehabilitation. Additional challenges affecting the realization of children’s right to protection include lack of a proper juvenile justice system, including juvenile justice legislations and comprehensive child rights and child protection legislation.
Article 12 of the Convention stipulates that, “State Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child”. Children remain left out of the decision making process in matters affecting them.
Recommendations of the CRC Committee to the Combined Second and Third Report of the Maldives to the UN in 2006 highlight key actions that can accelerate the realization of the rights of Maldivian children. The responsibility for success not only lies with the State, but also with the parents, caregivers, and the community.
Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and civil society groups, as well the media, are essential in monitoring and advocating for child rights. Strong families and communities are central to augmenting the gains made for children. Parents can play a critical role in the all round development of the child by providing love, care and a supportive environment. A mechanism for children’s participation in matters affecting them needs to be put in place. The evidence base needs to be strengthened and utilised to ensure the most vulnerable children are identified and reached. Strategic partnerships between the State and civil society as well as the private sector need to be strengthened to guarantee all Maldivian children have an equal chance to reach their potential.
The anniversary of the CRC is a time for us to revisit the pledge the world made for children. Most importantly, it is a reminder for us of what we have left to do to realize all rights, of all children. On this occasion, let us recall the words of former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan who said, “There is no trust more sacred than the one that the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace”.
Bertrand Mendis is the UNICEF Maldives Representative.
All comment 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]
(0)Dislikes(0)The Maldives last week hosted a third round of peace talks between the Afghan government and members of Taliban-linked resistance group led by ex-Mujahideen Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, one of the three key leaders of the armed opposition in Afghanistan.
Paradise’s manager Qaisar Naseem confirmed to Minivan News that the third meeting, “of 50 or so people”, was held at the resort around November 9.
“It was independently organised and involved some people from Afghanistan, but they were not [identified] as Taliban. There were people from the [Afghan] government as well,” he said. “They brought the media with them.”
The delegates caused no problems and were “very decent, very friendly, and talked to the other guests,” he said.
In a press conference today prior to his departure to Sri Lanka, President Mohamed Nasheed said the government was “aware of these conferences” but had no involvement.
“We do not at all feel that they bring a security risk. The security services of this country – police and other intelligence services – have a very good grip on who is doing what,” Nasheed said.
“Our position is that anyone wishing to have a conversation or bridge a gap to resolve a conflict is always very welcome in the Maldives.”
However, in the event of future talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, it is likely the gates of Paradise will remain closed.
Naseem said that while hosting the conference itself was harmless, the resort was “fully dependent” on European visitors, and management was acutely aware that the meetings could have a “negative impact” on guest perception.
“There’s no problems actually holding these events, but it does have an adverse effect on perception,” he explained. “To be honest, we’re not going to do it again.”
President of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), Mohamed Ibrahim ‘Sim’, told Minivan News that he had not had heard of any adverse reaction to the meetings from tour operators or the wider travel market.
“I don’t understand why there should be an impact [on perception],” he said. “The fact we are providing a safe haven for people with a peaceful agenda to come and discuss issues across a table does not detract from the image of the country.
“Some of these leaders are seen as terrorists and warlords, and the fact they are coming to the meeting emphasises the safety of the destination,” Sim said.
“We are a tourist destination and we don’t want to dragged into global geopolitics and the animosity between nations. We don’t want to antagonise anybody – that’s how a small and defenceless nation like the Maldives has been able to survive, and will hopefully continue to do so.”
Outcome
Central Asia Online reported that during the five day conference delegates proposed to form a supreme shura (‘consultation’), the Shura-e-Aali Amniyat-e-Milli, under which representatives from Afghanistan’s political, ethnic and warring groups would review “all major government policies before they are introduced before the parliament.”
“Policies would have to be passed with a two-thirds majority of the shura to be passed on to parliament or be implemented,” the US government-sponsored news site reported.
Taking on an almost parliamentary function, the shura would also approve ministerial, judicial, and independent commission appointments, the site reported. In the meantime, a ‘peace commission’ would be created to broker a ceasefire between the government and insurgent groups. A communique on the final day also called for the “immediate withdrawal” of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
The meeting was the third in a series of gatherings held this year in the Maldives, and the second to be held at Paradise Resort.
The first, under a veneer of secrecy, was held at Bandos Island Resort and Spa in January at the same time as the US, Britian and Japan spearheaded a proposal to ‘bribe’ Taliban fighters to disarm.
State Minister for Defence, Mohamed Muiz Adnan, told Minivan News at the time that he was not aware of the group’s arrival until he “saw it in the newspaper”, and had no knowledge of the meeting.
The second event in May – held at Paradise – was more widely publicised, and filmed by television news network Al-Jazeera. It was organised by Almayoun Jarir, Hekmatyar’s son-in-law.
Image taken during May meeting at Paradise Island Resort and Spa.
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