Day: October 26, 2014

PPM slams MDP and international community’s attempts to influence HRCM treason trial

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) today slammed opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for allegedly using international organisations to influence the Supreme Court trials against the state’s human rights body.

“The MDP in connection with various international organisations is attempting to influence an ongoing court case initiated by the highest judicial authority Supreme Court against the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM),” the PPM said.

The Supreme Court in September charged the independent commission with undermining the Constitution and sovereignty of the Maldives by spreading lies about the judiciary in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submission to the UN Human Rights Council.

The trial was initiated under suo moto regulations that allow the Supreme Court to initiate proceedings, prosecute, and pass judgment.

In its statement today, the PPM said it “harshly condemns MDP’s irresponsible attempts to discredit Maldives reputation and impoverish the Maldivian people.”

The MDP and the international community’s work harm Maldivian democracy and negatively impacts on the country’s tourism sector, the ruling party said.

The MDP had on September 23, expressed grave concern over the Supreme Court’s charges and accused the court of the undermining the Constitution.

“We believe that by initiating a suo moto case, the Supreme Court is undermining the responsibilities vested by the Maldivian Constitution and international conventions on the independent commission,” it said.

In the second hearing, the Supreme Court reprimanded the HRCM for basing criticism of the judiciary on a “rejected” 2013 report by the UN Special Rapporteur for Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul.

The court denounced the HRCM’s statements on the judiciary as “dangerous,” “irresponsible”, and poorly researched.

Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz censured the HRCM for alleged failure to fact check the UPR submission and said the commission had no authority to comment on the judiciary, review court verdicts, or monitor court proceedings.

The HRCM trial is only the second suo moto case in the country’s history. The first – in March this year – saw the Supreme Court sack the Election Commission’s president and vice president for contempt of court.

The United Nations Human Rights Council in 2012 said it was “deeply concerned about the state of the judiciary in the Maldives.”

The Supreme Court in particular needed “radical readjustment,” the committee said. “As 6 of 7 Supreme Court judges are experts in Sharia law and nothing more, this court in particular is in need of radical readjustment.  This must be done to guarantee just trials, and fair judgments for the people of Maldives.”

The 2006 Human Right Commission Act lists the promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with international conventions along with the assistance and support of relevant NGOs as basic objectives of the commission.

Additionally, Article 27 of the HRCM Act grant members immunity from prosecution in relation to acts carried out as part of the commission’s duties.

Article 27 (b) meanwhile says that a case can only be filed against the commission regarding published reports following an inquiry which proves components of the report to have been false.

The PPM in its statement today credited 30-year ruler President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for establishing a modern democracy in the country and gaining the respect and support for Maldivian sovereignty.

President Abdulla Yameen is following in the same footsteps, the statement read.

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China to “favorably consider” financing Malé-Hulhulé bridge if project proves feasible

China will “favorably consider” providing financial support to the construction of Malé – Hulhulé bridge project, if the venture proves feasible, the Embassy of China has said.

Speaking at a brief press conference at the President’s Office, Charge d’affaires ad interim of China Embassy Mr Liu Qiang revealed details of the MOU signed between China President Xi Jingping and President Yameen Abdulla in September.

He also explained that a Chinese survey team will complete a preliminary feasibility study of the project within 40 days.

The preliminary study will be followed by a project feasibility study. Afterwards, a design plan will be determined and the two governments will explore options to finance the project.

The arrival of the preliminary feasibility study “shows that the Chinese government attaches great attention both to this project and to the friendly and cooperative relations between China and the Maldives,” said Qiang.

President Xi has previously expressed his hope that the bridge would be named the ‘China-Maldives Friendship Bridge’.

“If this is possible engineering-wise, and if nature allows it, we will do it,” Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee said today.

The construction of a bridge was first announced during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s reelection campaign in 2008. President Mohamed Nasheed also pledged to link Malé to its suburb islands – Hulhumalé, Hulhulé, Villingili, and Gulhifalhu – via a bridge.

A 2011 feasibility study carried out by Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong explored three options to link Malé and Hulhulé, through Funadhoo Island on the north, or through two different paths on the southeastern side of Malé over the surf point to the edge of the runway on Hulhulé.

The study said a floating bridge would be possible via Funadhoo and a fixed bridge may be possible via Malé’s Raalhugandu area.

The cost of the bridge may run between US$ 70 and 100 million, the study added. Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb revealed last week that the current survey – said to cost $3-4 million – will be covered through Chinese aid, of which 100 million Yuan (around MVR250 million or US$16 million) was pledged in August.

The following month President Xi became the first Chinese head of state to visit the Maldives, signing various MoUs as well as a preliminary contract agreement on the development of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

During the historic visit, President Yameen told his counterpart that he hoped to increase the number of Chinese visitors threefold before the end of his term. Chinese tourists already represents around one third of the market share.

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Adhaalath Party objects to compulsory creative arts subject in new curriculum

The Adhaalath Party is working ceaselessly to ensure that music and dance are not taught as compulsory subjects with the introduction of the new education curriculum next year, Sheikh Imran Abdulla has declared.

“Adhaalath will take all necessary measures against this,” the religious conservative party’s president said on his Facebook page on Thursday (October 23).

Music and dance have reportedly been included in the new curriculum as part of a compulsory creative arts subject from pre-school to grade three.

Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed – a senior member of the Adhaalath Party – has also officially requested the education ministry to make the creative arts subject optional.

Asked about the issue at a press conference of the cabinet’s Social Council on Thursday (October 23), Education Minister Dr Aishath Shiham said the whole curriculum was based on Islamic values and codes of behaviour.

“There will not be anything that conflicts or differs with Islam anywhere in the curriculum,” she insisted.

Islamic Minister Dr Shaheem meanwhile criticised the media for reporting the issue in a way that prompts concern from the public.

Shaheem noted that Quran was included as a compulsory subject in the new curriculum and declared his support for efforts to “broaden Islamic education and Arabic language”.

“We value [the education ministry’s] efforts. Along with that, I believe that we can discuss together in a friendly manner to solve the [dispute over compulsory creative arts],” he said.

Shaheem added that he did not wish to comment further on the issue at present.

However, Shaheem told newspaper Haveeru last week that “hundreds of citizens” were concerned about plans to teach music and dance as compulsory subjects.

Shaheem also denied claims by State Minister for Education Adam Shareef’s that the cabinet has approved the new curriculum, which is currently being implemented in a few schools.

While the social council has discussed the curriculum, Shaheem said the issue has not been deliberated by the full cabinet.

He noted that former President Dr Mohamed Waheed’s administration had decided to make music and dance optional subjects.

Several religious NGOs have also objected to the creative arts subject, claiming that music is haram (prohibited) in Islam.

NGO Jamiyyathul Salaf put out a press statement last month describing the decision to make music and dance compulsory as an “insult to Islam”, contending that music is prohibited in Islam.

Shaheem meanwhile warned that forcing children of parents who consider music haram to study the subject could worsen extremism in society.

The education ministry should accept the Islamic ministry’s advice on the issue, he said, expressing confidence that President Abdulla Yameen would amicably resolve the dispute.

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Court imposes travel restrictions on MP Nazim

Travel restrictions have been placed on former Deputy Speaker and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim following a Criminal Court order.

Nazim’s passport has been held, though police are not revealing further details of the case.

Nazim is the latest in a number of active cases against sitting MPs, the frequency of which last year prompted the Inter-Parliamentary Union to express concern.

The Progressive Party of Maldives MP was recently cleared of charges of defrauding the now-defunct Atolls Ministry.

Earlier this year, the High Court dismissed appeals from the Prosecutor General’s Office to overturn a decision reached in the Criminal Court in February 2012.

The former People’s Alliance member has been charged in 2009 with conspiring to defraud the ministry, with police revealing evidence that Nazim alone received US$400,000 in the scam.

Nazim lost his position as deputy speaker earlier this year as the PPM chose Abdul Raheem Abdulla to stand for the post, with the Fonadhoo MP eventually losing out to Maldivian Democratic Party MP ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik.

Additionally, an independent report into the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan also mentioned the Dhiggaru MP’s name, alleging that Nazim had attempted to implicate the tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb in the case.

The report by private UK-based intelligence firm suggested that Nazim had promised to provide a journalist with information linking Adeeb – also deputy leader of the PPM – with corruption if he could be linked to the disappearance of Rilwan.

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Government taken hostage by the police and gangs operating in Malé: Nasheed

Maldivian Democractic Party (MDP) President, and former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed accused the government of being taken hostage by the police and the many gangs operating in the capital Malé.

“At the moment, the government has failed in providing a path to bring perpetrators of serious crimes in front of justice,” Nasheed said while speaking at an MDP rally held in the carnival area of the capital last night (October 26).

Nasheed also alleged that four individuals from the MPS Special Operations (SO) unit were behind the recent chopping down of the areca palm trees planted on both sides of the city’s main thoroughfare Majeedhee Magu.

“Two nights ago, we saw Maafannu police chase and attack four SO police officers who were wielding machetes around the city. Maafannu police tried to arrest the culprits but the SO officers ran into Iskandhar Koshi where they were protected by SO commander sub-inspector Abdulla Ibrahim,” claimed Nasheed.

Nasheed also criticised the government for its decision to ‘freeze employment’ in an attempt to reduce the ballooning budget deficit.

More than 5000 students are to finish their O levels, said the former president, with a further 2000 completing A levels – suggesting that these groups would be lost to gangs without gainful employment.

“The budget deficit has risen higher than ever before. The government is in huge amounts of debt after selling treasury bills to make ends meet,” continued the MDP leader, referring to the budget deficit which is now believed to exceed MVR4 billion (US$260 million).

He also spoke again of President Abdulla Yameen’s numerous visits to Singapore saying that the President Yameen is carrying out his presidential duties and obligations at a time where the whole country is descending into fear and chaos.

“If President Yameen is ill, we would not criticise these visits. However, the President’s Office has informed the media that the President and the First Lady is in good health, making us question the motive behind trips to Singapore,” said Nasheed.

President Yameen and the first lady have since returned from their unofficial trip.

Nasheed pointed out that the government has taken little to no action when an MDP rally held at Addu City was attacked by masked men wielding batons or when an MDP office in Malé was set on fire by two individuals on motorbikes.

Last night’s rally was held amidst a large number of threats issued against the opposition party. During the party’s last rally in the Malé, MP Eva Abdulla received a message threatening a suicide attack at the next MDP gathering while vowing to ‘fight to the last drop of blood’.

Despite party members continuing to receive threats prior to yesterday’s rally, the event passed without incident. Earlier today (October 26), the MDP held a press conference announcing that over 12,000 new members has signed to the party.

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Escaped convicts were on hunt for murder, theft deal, says home minister

Two convicts who escaped from Maafushi Jail on October 16 were apprehended while on a hunt for a deal to commit murder or theft, Home Minister Umar Naseer has said.

Speaking at a ceremony to lay the foundation of a 20-foot wall around Maafushi Jail today, Naseer said Ibrahim Shahum Adam, 23 years, and Fariyash Ahmed, 26 years, had not intended to simply flee from jail, but declined to reveal details of the alleged deal.

Both Shahum and Fariyash were serving life sentences for murder.

Fariyash was apprehended in a café in Malé on October 21. He had shaved his beard, taken off his glasses and was wearing a wig at the time of arrest.

The police then enlisted the help of an armed team of soldiers in the nationwide ‘Operation Gator Hunt’ for Shahum. He was caught the next day in a guesthouse in Malé.

Naseer said Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) officers were not involved in aiding the two convicts escape from jail, but said several inmates had abetted the jailbreak.

The Maldives Police Services have arrested two men on charges of aiding Shahum and Fariyash’s escape. A 32-year-old man was arrested on Thursday and a 20-year-old man was arrested on Friday.

The 20-year-old has a previous record of drugs, theft, harassment and intimidation, and vandalism of property, a police statement on Friday said.

According to the Maldives Police Services, the MCS only noticed the two were missing 24 hours after their escape.

They had sawn off 22 bars on a window in the bathroom of cell number 14 in unit 9 of Maafushi Jail, the police said.

Commissioner of Police Hussein Waheed has attributed Operation Gator Hunt’s success to interagency collaboration within the police.

Naseer today said he would use a dog squad periodically in preventing the entry of illicit drugs into Maafushi Jail.

In addition to the 20-foot wall, surveillance cameras, increased lighting and automatic locks will be used to strengthen security at the jail, he said.

Between 50 and 100 inmates will work for pay in constructing the wall. The MVR4.2 million (US$272,000) wall will stretch for 1.4 kilometers and is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

The increased security measures will prevent inmates enslaving other inmates and violence within the jail, he added.

Jumhooree Party MP and former Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz has called for an independent inquiry into the jailbreak.

Opposition MPs meanwhile contended that the government’s “negligence and irresponsibility” allowed the dangerous criminals to break out from a high security prison.

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President appoints three new ambasadors

President Abdulla Yameen has today appointed ambassadors to the European Union, Belgium, China, and Kuwait.

Upon his return from Singapore this morning, Yameen presented a letter of appointment to Ahmed Shiaan – formerly acting high commissioner to the United Kingdom – who will become ambassador to Belgium and the ‎European ‎‎Union.

Additionally, ‎Mohamed Faisal was appointed as ambassador ‎to ‎China, and Abdulla Hameed as non-resident ambassador to Kuwait.

The president also ratified the Bill to Repeal Act on the Detention and Imprisonment of Persons for More than Seven Days, and the Bill on Amendment to the Child Protection Act.

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Reeko Moosa unveils plans to contest 2018 presidential primary

Deputy Speaker and Hulhu-Henveiru MP Reeko Moosa Manik revealed plans to contest the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) primary for the 2018 presidential candidacy.

While speaking at an MDP rally held in the carnival area last night, Moosa said the party would discredit any allegations that it has no internal democracy.

Moosa said his resignation as chairperson following the disappointing Majlis election results in March was intended to provide space and opportunity for young politicians to take charge.

“I took a step back from the front lines of the party in order to spend more time with my family after ten years of working tirelessly at the front lines of the party,” said Moosa while speaking about his absence from party activities in the recent months.

When stepping down, Reeko called upon fellow party leaders to follow his example. Former President Mohamed Nasheed made similar suggestions before standing uncontested for the party’s presidency in August.

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