Day: June 10, 2014

Perceived atheists and homosexuals targetted as campaign of attacks continues

Government employee, Adam Ghafoor*, was attacked on Sunday in a Malé cafe by a group of eight men accusing him and his friends of homosexuality and atheism.

‘You homosexual atheists are destroying our country – we will not stand back and watch you do it,’ Adam reported the group as saying.

After being accused of being atheists, Adam asked the men to leave, prompting his interrogators to launch an attack – raining blows on him as onlookers watched without offering assistance.

Details of this attack follow further reports received by Minivan News today of abductions made by a vigilante mob attempting to identify online activists advocating secularism or professing atheism.

While drinking coffee with friends after a gym session, Adam and his friends were approached by a man in arabic dress, whom Adam believed may have been prompted by the arrival of his “effeminate” friend.

“You are wearing shorts that don’t cover your awra [intimate parts], you cannot wear such short shorts in this country,” said the arabic dressed man, after requesting that Adam recite the Shahadha, or Islamic creed.

After a heated exchange, three or four members of the group attacked Adam, before threatening to slaughter him in the street should they see them again.

Similarly to Adam’s confrontation, those abducted in recent days have been interrogated on their Islamic faith as well as being accused of homosexuality and atheism.

Minivan News understands the incidents were related to the hijacking of a Facebook group called ‘Colorless’ on Sunday which, after having its content replaced with Islamic symbols, has subsequently been deleted.

Both the police and the President’s Office have again declined to comment today on the growing number of incidents.

The takedown of ‘Colorless’ followed a campaign by the Shariah4Maldives group calling for the removal of anti-Islamic content, although the group has distanced itself from any vigilante activity.

The group today suggested that Minivan News should be the next to be removed, suggesting that the site has allowed the publication of anti-Islamic comments on its articles.

Concerns

This weekend’s incidents followed local media reports of a meeting between Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali and youth groups who expressed concern over the harassment of Islam and the promotion of homosexuality.

Minivan news has learned that individuals photographed in this meeting – and in a separate meeting with Home Minister Umar Naseer – formed part of the vigilante group that carried out the recent abductions.

Umar Naseer is currently out of the country, and officials at the Home Ministry were unable to provide details of the photographed meeting. Sheikh Shaheem was not responding to calls or texts at the time of publication.

The meeting came just days after the New Zealand media published a story about a Maldivian asylum seeker who has become a prize winning drag artist in Wellington.

Abraham Naim told the Dominion Post that he had claimed asylum for fear of persecution in the Maldives – prompting the President’s Office to assure that any Maldivians seeking asylum abroad on grounds of religion or sexuality could be assured of prosecution upon their return.

Self-exiled blogger Ismail Hilath Rasheed – a campaigner for freedom of religion and openly gay – left the Maldives in 2012 after narrowly surviving having his throat slashed.

In 2010, air-traffic controller Ismail Mohamed Didi was found hanged from the control tower at Malé international airport. It was later revealed that Didi was in the process of seeking asylum in the UK after receiving threats.

Minivan News understands that there are currently two Maldivians claiming asylum in the UK, both believed to be on religious grounds – with one having already completed the process.

Democratic freedoms

The latest reports come as Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon released a statement praising the successful consolidation of a liberal democracy in the country and the safeguarding of human rights and individual freedoms.

Marking a decade of democratic reforms, Dunya described that country’s democracy as “vibrant”, and human rights as “blossoming”.

“The Minister called on all Maldivians to never let up the fight for democracy and human rights promotion in the country,” read the statement.

Commenting on the current climate in the country, Adam expressed his opinion that full democratic freedoms could not be realised without religious freedom in the one hundred percent Islamic nation.

“The definition of freedom and democracy has been skewed in this country,” said Adam. “Acceptance and freedom of religion – that is true democracy. In this country it’s a farce.”

Individuals involved in the ‘Colorless’ group, formed in the wake of February 2012’s transfer of power, have suggested that democratic progression has stalled.

“Why is the Secular camp not invited to participate in the political process? If you think your numbers are more, then why not let us join the political discussion without reprisals?” asked an administrator for the ‘Secular Democratic Maldives Movement’.

As well as the more controversial ‘Maldivian Atheists’ page on Facebook, those abducted in recent days have been asked to name administrators behind the ‘Secular Democratic Maldives Movement’ Facebook page.

Police announced an investigation into the ‘Maldivian Atheists’ earlier this year which, in contrast to the more moderate debate commonly featured on ‘Secular Maldives’, has published pictures of the prophet Mohammed as well as images of people defiling the Quran.

*Name changes to protect indivudual’s identity

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Haa Alif Dhidhoo hit by ‘Udha’ waves

Dhidhoo, the capital of Haa Alif atoll is being flooded by ‘Udha’ swell waves coming in from the eroded southern side of the island, the island council has said today.

Deputy President of the council Jauhari Ali today said the waves are coming from three eroding areas, one of which is populated densely – with the nearest houses just seven feet from reach of these swells.

“It is an eroding area, the waves have coming in constantly for the past three days, particularly early morning. But since all houses in the area have fence walls the houses are not flooded – but all around the houses the streets are flooded,” he said.

‘Udha’ is a common phenomenon in the Maldives, particularly during the south-west monsoon, and is often associated with changes in ‘Nakaiy’ – the fortnightly intervals of the Maldives’ unique weather calendar.

A local environmentalist familiar with the Nakaiy system said Udha waves are connected to the moon, gravity, and changes in winds and said it is a completely normal natural phenomenon but that it could harm islands which are already eroding.

Jauhari said the groundwater in the area has been affected so badly that many people are not able use the wells which they commonly use for all purposes other than drinking – for which rain water is used.

“People showed us how this is damaging their property. Washing machines and kitchen utensils are damaged as the sea water has affected the [ground] wells.” He said.

Dhidhoo, like many other Maldivian islands, also faces shortage of rain water supply but has not had to request emergency water supplies from the Disaster Management Center this year.

“Some of the houses did run out of water but we managed using [public] water tanks at the Mosque and School. And with this rainy season, we don’t think drinking water will be an issue this year,” explained Jauhari.

Gravity waves

A report from the “Detailed Island Risk Assessment in Maldives” intiative undertaken by the Maldives government in 2010 described Udha as a “gravity wave phenomenon”, suggesting that it is “highly probable” that these waves originate as swell waves from the Southern Indian Ocean which are further fueled by the onset of southwest monsoon during May.

The report also stated that the intensity and impacts of Udha waves are usually very low, with flooding occurring within 10 meters of coastline at less than 0.3 m height above the ground, and is not expected to be a major hazard in the short-term.

“This issue needs to be further explored based on long term wave and climatological data of the Indian Ocean before any specific conclusions can be made,” the report stated.

“However, if the relationship does exists, this phenomena could prove to be a major hazard in the face of climate change since the intensity of southern Indian Ocean winter storms is expected to increase,” it continued.

The impact Udha of waves on the erosion of the islands is one of the biggest of worries on Dhidhoo council.

Deputy President Jauhari said the island has been eroding at a “dangerous level”, with approximately 300-400 feet already taken away from an initial area of approximately 85 hectares, which is home to an estimated 4500 people.

“It is happening all across the southern part of the island except for the newly [in 2010] reclaimed area. And particularly the mid-area and two sides of the south-western beach are affected,” he added, noting that one of the first issues discussed by the newly elected council was resolving the issue of soil erosion.

“As a temporary solution we used put jumbo bags to prevent the area from erosion with help from the public. But now with the south-west monsoon the waves are going over these bags in to the island,” he said

The island and atoll council members visited the area and have discussed finding an immediate solution, Jauhari said.

“Right now the areas is not accessible due to the waves, people cant go in there and put a barrier. And at the moment we do not have any heavy load vehicles here, and no bags either. But we are planning to put bags at the beach now.”

He said the government have also been informed and in response a Maldives Transport and Contracting Company team working in nearby Vashafaru Island was sent to inspect the area.

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Government proposes amendments to old laws to ensure protection of rights

The Maldives government has proposed amending laws enacted under the country’s outdated constitution in order to ensure rights guaranteed by the current constitution are enshrined in old laws.

A bill has been introduced to amend the Immigration Act of 2007 to limit the period for which state institutions can withhold a individual’s passport without a court order to twenty four hours from the currently stated seven days.

Article 48 (d) of the current Constitution forbids detention of a person for more than twenty four hours without being brought before a judge who will decide if the detention could be extended.

It was also proposed that the Controller of Immigration and Emigration should be allowed to withhold passports based on orders from all investigative bodies of the state.

The current version of the Act states that the Controller can only withhold a passport based on court warrants, verdicts and orders from “government institutions authorized to make arrests under the General Laws Act.”

If passed, this amendment will allow independent state institutions such as the Anti Corruption Commission to ask the Controller to withhold passports.

Other major changes proposed to the Immigration Act include removing references to a 1968 law titled ‘Some General Laws’ (4/68) from the Immigration Act. The law allows detention of a person on suspicion of disobeying laws and for security and safety for any period of time by the Ministry of Defence and National Security and the Ministry of Home Affairs if in Malé area and (now abolished) Ministry of Atolls if on other islands.

The government states the law contradicts several articles of the Constitution, particularly those regarding the rights of the detained.

The 1978 “Procedure for detentions exceeding seven days act”  has been put up for annulment for the same reason, as it allows detaining people for periods exceeding seven or more days without authorization from a Judge.

The government has also proposed annulling the 1990 “Law on determining the salaries of the People’s Majlis and the People’s Special Majlis.” The one- line law is no longer of use as the Constitution already authorizes the Majlis to determine their own salary.

The government also proposed an amendment to the “Protection of Child Rights Act” of 1991 to include universal education up to middle school for all children.

The current Act only requires government to provide education “to the extent which the economy of Maldives and the resources of the government allows.” Further, instead of universal education without discrimination, it states that education must be provided for all “in a way that is relevant for each Island”.

Article 26 of the Constitution guarantees universal education for everyone without any discrimination and requires the state to provide free primary and secondary level education.

However, while the amendment to the act requires the state to teach obedience to Islam and instilling love for Islam as outlined in the constitution, it has excluded “fostering respect for human rights and promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among all people” mentioned in the same article of the constitution.

Attorney General Mohamed Anil yesterday said the government will be sending a total of 51 bills to the current session of the newly elected People’s Majlis where the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives holds a majority.

Speaking to Haveeru he said that 19 of these bills have already been forwarded to the Majlis, and said he hopes to send eleven more bills within the month.

The highest priorities of the legislative agenda will be formulating bills required for implementing the PPM manifesto, he has also said.

The scope of the government’s legislative agenda includes  207 bill comprising 98 new bills and 109 amendments to existing laws.

A bill on establishing special economic zones (SEZ) designed to attract foreign investments was recently proposed by the government.

Anil today revealed that  an interim Criminal Procedure will also be proposed shortly.

Speaking to Haveeru, Anil said it is very important to have an interim Criminal Procedure Act which could complement the recently ratified revised Penal Code which is to come in to force in April 2015.

Anil said he feared that the long-term Criminal Procedure bill may be delayed in the parliament as it “has many issues” and would generate a lot of debate in the parliament.

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Man sentenced to 14 years in jail for molesting a 16 year old boy

The Criminal Court has sentenced a man to 14 years in jail for molesting a 16-year-old boy.

Ahmed Ibrahim, 38, of Lhaviyani Atoll Naifaru Island, was caught in a Malé City guesthouse with the boy in September 2012.

The Maldives Police Services say Ibrahim has a previous record of homosexuality and child abuse.

In 2002, Ibrahim was sentenced to nine months banishment and 15 lashes in public for homosexuality, the police said. While serving his sentence on Alif Alif Atoll Thoddoo Island, Ibrahim was caught sexually abusing another 16-year-old boy.

In 2009, Ibrahim was again accused of molesting two male minors in Malé, police said.

Reports of child abuse, especially that of young boys, have dramatically increased over the past few years.

According to police statistics, 220 sexual offenses cases, a majority of which involves child abuse, have been reported this year. In 2013, 573 cases were reported.

Although the rise in reported cases may represent a greater willingness to report child abuse, the Human Rights Commission Commission has suggested child abuse incidents are on the rise this year and has urged parents to be more alert.

“I believe it is not merely an increase in reporting, I think it is becoming more common. During our trips to twenty two islands around the country for our ongoing National Inquiry on Access to Education for Children with Disabilities, almost in all islands there were cases of physical, mental and sexual abuse of children,” HRCM Vice President Ahmed Tholal told Minivan News in April.

State Minister for Health Dr Aishath Ramila told local media in April that the ministry has failed to compile a legally mandated Sex Offenders Registry due to lack of access to criminal records.

“Even if we look at other countries, an Offenders Registry is always with the Police of the country. This is because all the criminal records of the offenders are within the police database. Gender ministry will not have their criminal records,” Ramila said.

“Will the register be maintained by us or the police? I think this is the first decision that we need to make”, she added.

She also said the Health Ministry does not have the resources to compile and maintain the registry.

A 51-year-old Indian national was arrested for sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy in Faafu Atoll Feeali Island in April.

In January, the Ungoofaaru Magistrate Court in Raa Atoll sentenced a 51-year-old man to 10 years for sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy multiple times.

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Home Minister fails to attend court, leaves on official trip to source sniffer dogs, body scanners

Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has failed to attend a second court hearing into charges of disobedience to order.

The Home Ministry has reported Naseer left the country last night on an official trip to the Netherlands to source sniffer dogs and body scanner machines for airport security purposes.

Naseer is accused of calling for 2,000 volunteers to storm the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) headquarters with 50 ladders on January 23, 2012 during two weeks of protests following the military’s controversial detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

Judge Abdulla Didi, who is presiding over Naseer’s case, warned action will be taken against the minister if he fails to attend the next hearing of the case, scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 12.

“I sincerely appeal to you not to force us to have the minister placed under detention and presented to court,” Abdulla Didi said to Naseer’s lawyer, Adam Asif, in court today.

The Home Ministry, however, said it had notified the court in advance that Naseer will be out of the country from June 9 to June 16. The Criminal Court has rescheduled hearings in previous cases if any of the parties are unable to attend.

But the judge stated that Naseer had gone abroad previously on an official trip after receiving summons for the last scheduled hearing.

Although the Home Ministry had sent letters notifying the court of Naseer’s absence from the capital in advance, Judge Didi said he did not accept the justification.

Today’s hearing had been scheduled after the Home Ministry had assured that Naseer will be in Male’ from June 8, Didi said adding that he did not accept Naseer’s absence for an official trip as a sufficient reason for a second absence.

The Home Ministry’s official website has issued statement saying that Naseer will be in the Netherlands until June 16 on an official trip.

During the trip, he will be meeting with OD Security – a company which builds body scanners to combat drugs and terrorism, and the K10 Working Dogs – a canine supplier for global government agencies.

Naseer is also scheduled to visit Abu Dhabi on the trip, where he will be meeting with the United Arab Emirates Minister of Interior Lt General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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President appoints Deputy Minister of Education

President Abdulla Yameen has on Tuesday appointed Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim of Bodufendaage from the island of Hinnavaru in Lhaviyani Atoll to the post of Deputy Minister of Education.

The Education Ministry currently has two state ministers and six other deputy ministers.

The current government has a total of 16 cabinet ministers, 5 other appointees at ministerial rank, 30 state ministers and 60 deputy ministers.

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Government signs agreement with IPNLF to promote fisheries

The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has signed an agreement with the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) to promote fisheries in the Maldives through a number of projects.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, IPNLF Director John Barton stated that the foundation will assist the Maldives in various projects to develop fisheries in the country, as well as in training fishermen.

Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee revealed that the ministry is currently undertaking projects worth US$283,000 with IPNLF.

He further said that under the programme, the VilliMalé Training Center will be handed over to the Fisheries Association within the next week.

Shainee noted that working with the IPNLF would facilitate promotion of Maldivian fisheries in European countries.

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