Hussein Ibrahim MP Arrested & Released After Questioning

Hussein Ibrahim MP was summoned to the police station in Male’ yesterday. It has been reported that he was questioned about his role in the the peaceful pro-democracy rally of 12-13th August 2004.

Mr Ibrahim reportedly told the police what he saw at the rally but told them he did not know what exactly was said by each speaker in the demonstration but believed the demonstrators were unhappy with the government and expressed anti-government viewpoints.

Mr Ibrahim was released yesterday evening but was told he could not leave the country without prior permission from the authorities.

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Thousands take to the streets of the Ukraine in protest of election rigging

Thousands of anti-government protesters have taken to the streets in the Eastern European country of the Ukraine, protesting over what they describe as a rigged Presidential election by the present government.

The protests – which have been ongoing for over a week but have gone largely unreported in the Maldivian state press – look set to bring the current government, which is charged with corruption, to its knees.

Top-level international mediators have arrived in the capital, Kiev, to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis. These include representatives from the European Union and Russia.

The opposition – seen by many to represent the democratic future of the Ukraine – have accused the incumbent president of engineering an electoral fraud and opposition leader Mr Yushchenko said that, as a result, the country was now “on the brink of civil conflict”.

As the crowds of protesters have swelled, there have been rumours – officially denied – that the Ukrainian army was sending tanks to the capital city, possibly to crush the protesters who have blocked key roads and public buildings and have called a national strike.

Mr Yushchenko is hoping for a ‘bloodless revolution’ of the sort that transformed many other Eastern European countries from dictatorships to democracies through massive street protests in the 1980s and 1990s.

The similarities between the current situation in the Ukraine and the present situation in the Maldives could not be more apparent.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has already stated that there have been serious flaws in the nomination process for the upcoming Majlis (parliament) elections which mean the election cannot be free and fair.

Today, opposition candidate Mr Shuaib Ali reported serious flaws in the construction of the ballot boxes which could allow vote tampering.

The situation in the Ukraine is yet another example of the power mass public protest can have against dictatorial governments.

The pertinent question for the Maldives is whether in the upcoming election people will go onto the streets and protest like the people of the Ukraine have so visibly done this past week.

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Five Democracy Detainees Transferred from House to Male’ Arrest

UPDATE:

Sources in Male’ have stated that Mohamed Yousuf Fulhu & Susan Ibrahim Fulhu have been transferred from house to Male’ arrest along with IC, Falah and Ismail Asif. However, Ahmed Shafeeq and Mohamed Nazeer are thought to still be under house arrest in Male’.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Five Black Friday detainees, arrested for their part in the peaceful pro-democracy rally of 12-13th August 2004, have been transferred from house to Male’ arrest today (28th November), reports from Male’ have confirmed.

The five men – IC, Falah, Ahmed Shafeeq, Ismail Asif, Mohamed Nazeer – were some of the last democracy detainees to be released from jail. Their release was thought to have been, in part, due to strong international pressure on the Maldivian government, particularly during the hunger strike in Dhoonidhoo Jail two weeks ago, in which the five were involved.

It was reported that all five released from house arrest today have suffered severe torture at the hands of the Maldivian government’s National Security Service (NSS).

Abdulla Rasheed
Abdulla Rasheed

Abdulla Rasheed (IC) for instance, was reportedly beaten up so badly during his arrest on 14 August that he had to be rushed to hospital, suffering from vomiting and temporary paralysis of his legs. Ahmed Falah was reportedly blindfolded, handcuffed and forced to squat while four police officers systematically beat him.

Ahmed Shafeeq, Member of the Special Majlis for Meemu Atoll, was charged on 15 November 2004 under article 50 of the Penal Code with reference to the archaic article 46 of the Code of breaching public peace in an unlawful assembly. The charge carries sentences of imprisonment for a term between one year and four years, or banishment for a term between two years and eight years or a fine not exceeding Rufiyaa 4000/-.

It is thought the reason for the MP’s long incarceration was because he was one of the three Members of Parliament who attempted to lodge a criminal case of treason against the Speaker of the Majlis for alleged violation of the Constitution.

Ismail Asif is reportedly determined to bring legal action against those who interrogated him in Dhoonidhoo. It is alleged that the police had the discretion to include or omit what they wanted from the statement they took from Mr Asif and the statement only included certain points made by him while other points he wanted the police to include in the statement were not included. It is further alleged that Mr Asif was then asked to sign the statement on the pretext that it was the detainee’s own statement given on his own free will.

Mohamed Nazeer
Mohamed Nazeer

Mohamed Nazeer, a prominent businessman, was arrested on 28 September 2004. It is thought that he has remained in prison for so long because he was not “co-operating with the investigation” which reportedly means that he refused to sign a confession for his ‘crimes’.

The Maldivian government is thought to still hold some 20 people arrested after the August protest including prominent religious figure Sheik Fareed.

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Strong winds damage houses in Male’

Strong winds have caused damage to a number of houses in Male’, in the present rainy weather that is affecting the Maldives.

The NSS have reported that the fifth storey roof of Henveiru Dhonannaruge was ripped off by the wind and crashed in to a room of Ranvillage. A tree in G. Femora was also uprooted by the winds and the falling tree broke MWSC’s water meter in the building and collapsed a 13 feet section of the house wall. Also in this incident, a 15 foot section of the wall of adjacent house Fiyavahi also toppled down it has been reported.

www.southasianmedia.net

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15 Minutes Interviews: Tanya Husney

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.

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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Democracy in the Maldives

LOOKING THROUGH the window of my plane from Colombo to Male a few years ago, I was enthralled by the breath-taking panorama of tropical green, and the splendour and beauty of the coral islands. The airhostess called my attention to the Immigration and Customs forms to be filled in. Perusing the forms, I came face to face with the Islamic character of the Maldives. Visitors are not allowed to bring in idols or statues of any kind, so also alcohol. The Customs officials meticulously searched my baggage. I was a little anxious that my books of prayer would be confiscated; they escaped the attention of the authorities.

Accompanied by Dr. Raghupathy, former lecturer in the Department of History, Jaffna University, I went around the national museum in Male. An old villa in the former Sultan’s palace has been converted into a museum. A second cultural shock awaited me. Unlike the national museum in New Delhi, which gives the visitor glimpses of the rich cultural heritage and composite culture of India, the museum in Male is testimony to a highly conservative society that upholds rigid Islamic ideals. The main exhibits highlight the history of the Maldives since it was Islamised in the 12th century. Objects relating to the pre-Islamic period are in a state of “benign neglect.” Most of them are kept in a closed room; a lone Buddha figure stands outside the entrance, exposed to the ravages of sun and rain.

As the President and supreme upholder of the Islamic faith, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has been the Head of State since 1978, is committed to the promotion of Islam in all possible ways. Perhaps he considers such a policy to be essential for his political survival. At the same time, the realities of the Maldives, the need for modernisation, and the geographical proximity to India and Sri Lanka, dictate that the Government, in the long run, encourage a less exclusivist approach. The National Council of Islam is extremely conservative; Maldivian law is based entirely on the Koran.

When Thor Henerdhal, the well-known anthropologist, showed archaeological exhibits such as sun symbols to President Gayoom, evidence that the Maldives had an ancient civilisation comparable to Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, “his face lit up like a boy enraptured by Father Christmas’ gifts. He finally rose to his feet and said with pride: `We are a young Republic, yes. Now we have proof that we too have an old history, just like our neighbours in the sub-continent.'”

But Islamic scholars did not share Mr. Gayoom’s pride. When Henerdhal sought permission for further excavation, many scholars were of the opinion that the “hawittas [mounds of earth suspected to hold the ruins of Buddhist temples] had been left in peace for hundreds of years, so why take risks, why not let this continue.” Finally after great difficulty, the Islamic Council accorded permission to Henerdhal to carry out excavations on a few islands. But the startling discoveries that he made about the pre-Islamic past of the Maldives are not fully reflected in the history textbooks prescribed in schools.

Unfortunately, very little is known about the Republic of Maldives. Though an integral part of South Asia and a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since the beginning, the Maldives has not attracted the attention it deserves from Indian social scientists, mediapersons and strategic specialists. Minicoy in Lakshadweep is separated from the Maldives by the Eight Degree Channel, which is 114 km across. From Kanyakumari, the Maldives is only 640 km to the southwest. The Maldives, which comprises 1,192 islets, spread across 20 atolls, has a population of just 2,85,000. Its small size, limited resources, environmental hazards and vulnerability in terms of security have dictated its developmental patterns since independence.

On the eve of independence in 1965, the Maldives was one of the poorest countries in the world. However, the last few decades have witnessed a remarkable transformation. Tourism has made tremendous strides and fisheries contribute a lot to the national exchequer. According to the Human Development Index included in the Human Development Report, 2003, the Maldives is on the top as far as South Asia is concerned. Its Human Development Index (HDI) is 86, compared to Sri Lanka’s 99, India’s 127, Bhutan’s 136, Bangladesh’s 139, Nepal’s 143 and Pakistan’s 146. Assistance from U.N. Agencies and from friendly countries like India, in addition to the skills of the expatriate workers, has contributed to this unprecedented growth.

Post-independence politics in the Maldives was dominated by two individuals who present a sharp contrast in political style and in their impact on the progress of the fledgling state. The first was Ibrahim Nasir, President from 1968 to 1978, and the second Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who became President in 1978. Nasir was an autocrat, he rode roughshod over the Opposition, and declared a state of emergency in 1975 to ensure his political survival. In 1980, President Gayoom appointed a commission to inquire into various charges against his predecessor. Nasir and his family fled from the Maldives and settled in Singapore.

When Mr. Gayoom became President, he enjoyed popular support and international goodwill. He was considered to be a modernist Muslim. Educated in Al Azhar University, Cairo, where he took his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Islamic Studies, Mr. Gayoom was sensitive to the revivalist and modernist trends in the Islamic world. He identified himself with the aspirations of the Third World countries by joining the Non-Aligned Movement and SAARC, by supporting the demand for declaring the Indian Ocean a Zone of Peace and highlighting the security dilemma of small island-states. The abortive coup against Mr. Gayoom in November 1988 and the spontaneous support extended by India to stabilise his regime brought the Maldives into the international limelight. And as mentioned earlier, the period also witnessed rapid economic changes.

In a world of shrinking geographical boundaries and widening intellectual horizons, the Maldives remains an anachronism. All the essentials of a dynamic democracy — multi-party system, free and fair elections, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, active trade unions and student unions — are absent. Concentration of power in a strong executive is the hallmark of the political system. Mr. Gayoom holds out the promise that the political system will be democratised.

In June 2004, Mr. Gayoom announced an agenda for reform, which included the creation of the post of Prime Minister, the division of powers between the President and the Prime Minister, and the ushering in of a new Constitution.

But the people of the Maldives are extremely sceptical about reforms. As a result, even those who were once loyal to him have turned against him. The most well known among them is Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, former Secretary-General of SAARC. Other leaders include Gasim Ibrahim, Muhammad Munawwar, Ilyas Hussain, Ibrahim Ismail and Hussain Rasheed, all members of the Special Majlis. The imposition of emergency, continuing demonstrations against dictatorship, allegations of torture against political prisoners — all these indicate that the Maldives is entering an era of political turbulence.

Just as no man is an island, no archipelago can insulate itself from the winds of change sweeping across Asia. The logic of history and the justness of the cause will definitely bring about a change in favour of democracy. India, which has excellent relations with Maldives, cannot remain indifferent to the democratic aspirations of the people of that country. New Delhi should initiate steps to bring about political reconciliation, giving due consideration to the democratic urges of the people.

It is amazing the political leadership in New Delhi is keeping quiet when flagrant violations are taking place in the Maldives. The Doctor in Albert Camus’s book, The Plague, has the following advice: “All I maintain is that on this earth there are pestilences and there are victims, and it is up to us, so far as possible, not to join forces with pestilences.”

(The writer is Professor of Maritime Studies, Calicut University, Kerala.)

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MPs Shihab & Afeef Arrested and then Released after Interrogation

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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Latheef clarifies MDP’s position vis à vis Abbas Ibrahim

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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MDP condemns arbitrary imprisonment at the dreaded Dhoonidhoo jail of Mr.Mohamed Shihab MP and Mr.Hassan Afeef MP

Reports from Male’ have confirmed that the police have imprisoned two respected parliamentarians Mr.Mohamed Shihab and Mr.Hassan Afeef. The Maldivian Democratic Party strongly condemns their imprisonment without charge, their being held incommunicado and without access to legal assistance.

The MDP sees this police action as an attempt by the Government to intimidate opposition MPs, in blatant disregard to national and international concerns over irregular and illegal means and attempts by the Government to interfere and influence the outcome of forthcoming general elections.

The MDP therefore makes this urgent appeal to the concerned international community to make representations on behalf of Mr Shihab and Mr.Afeef.

In particular, the MDP requests all stakeholders in the future stability of the Maldives to pressure the Maldivian government to: ensure the election process is free and fair and in accordance with international standards – specifically, the Maldivian government must desist from harassing MDP candidates and must allow the registration of the MDP; that all who wish to stand for election are allowed to stand and campaign freely; that the electorate and the media are allowed to engage in open debate; and that state resources are not used to favor some candidates more than others.

Background information

Both Mr. Mohamed Shihab MP and Mr. Hassan Afeef MP are key leaders in the reform movement. Over many years they have vehemently argued for a pluralistic democracy in the Maldives and have worked hard to ensure parliamentary proceedings are lawful. On two occasions in the last few months they have walked out of the house in protest at the Speaker’s attempt to unfairly manipulate proceedings.

Mr. Shihab and Mr. Afeef, both have submitted their papers to contest for the forthcoming election. Mr. Afeef will be defending his traditional homeland seat of Kolumadulu Atoll, which he has held for the last 15 years. Mr. Shihab is one of the longest serving MPs. His traditional seat is South Nelandi Atoll, but further to the decisions of MDP Mr. Shihab will be contesting for a seat from Male’. Male’ is one of the strongest fortresses of the party.

These elections will be of crucial importance to the future of democratic change in the Maldives. The People’s Majlis being elected will nominate a single candidate for the 2008 Presidential election. The parliamentary nomination, which for the last 26 years has always been President Gayoom, will be put to a ‘yes-no’ referendum of the people. If the nominated candidate wins the referendum, he (women are barred from Presidential elections) will hold office until 2012. In the past, the referendum has been a foregone conclusion as President Gayoom always wins with over 98% of the vote.

The forthcoming elections for the People’s Majlis are also important with regards to constitutional reform. A further parliament has been established to make changes to the constitution. Called the People’s Special Majlis, this body is comprised of the fifty members of the People’s Majlis, the President’s cabinet and another 42 elected seats and a further 8 Presidential appointees.

Even with the inherent biases towards the President in the current system, the performance of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) since its establishment in late 2003, poses a serious threat to the incumbent government. In the elections for the 42 elected seats of the People’s Special Majlis, held in May 2004, pro-reform candidates (candidates are banned from running under the MDP banner) won 30 out of the 42 seats, some 70%.

If the MDP wins a similar share in the upcoming People’s Majlis election, the government would lose control over the nominations for the next President and the direction of the reform process. Thus, faced with such formidable opposition in the run-up to this election, the government continues to subvert the rule of law in an attempt to hold on to power.

In contravention of Article 27 of the constitution of the Maldives, the government refuses to grant registration for the Maldivian Democratic Party, while the government itself is acting along the lines of a well-formed single party. The government fields their own candidates acting as a party as defined by Article 27 of the constitution.

In the recent months, the government has intimidated the public by banning public gatherings, conducting sweeping mass arrests, torturing those arrested, declaring a state of emergency and nighttime curfew. The government continues to hold pro-reform MPs in detention with threats of charges with long jail sentences. The government has charged two pro-reform MPs under Article 46 of the archaic Penal Code of the Maldives.

The government is also threatening to charge other pro-reform activists and candidates for the forthcoming election and is presently intimidation and harassing the existing leadership of the reform movement in the Parliament.

The arrest of the opposition MPs and activists continues at a crucial stage of the reform programme. The MDP fielded a winning candidate for Speaker of the Special Majlis in August 2004. The reform movement has also mustered widespread grass-roots support, garnering unprecedented rallying strength, as shown by the peaceful gatherings of July and August 2004.

The MDP feels that decisions and deliberations on reform should be made with the full participation of all parties who would be affected by such reforms. The continued detention of opposition MPs and candidates and the harassment and intimidation of candidates is therefore seen as grossly unfair and as such the MDP believes that the civil rights of thousands of its supporters are being denied.

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