Dear Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma,
New evidence has emerged which casts doubt over the validity of the final report by the Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI), published in August 2012.
Following its publication, CoNI’s report was sent to the relevant Maldivian parliamentary oversight committee, who decided to investigate the facts and procedures of the report to ensure its accuracy. Through careful review of the report, it has been revealed that vital evidence relating to CoNI’s core mandate was ignored and no explanation was given as to the reason for this, despite claims by CoNI that no information was disregarded.
CoNI’s mandate was to investigate whether President Nasheed resigned under duress, due to threats to his life, or not. The committee summoned Former Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Faseeh; Former Chief of Defense Force, Moosa Ali Jaleel; Brigadier General, Ahmed Nilam; Former Chief Superintendent of Police, Mohamed Hameed and Former Superintendent of Police, Mohamed Jinah under the power vested in a parliamentary committee by Article 99 of the Constitution.
Former Chief of Defense Force Jaleel; Former CS Hameed and Brigadier General Nilam confirmed to the committee’s investigation that there was a plot to assassinate President Nasheed and that on the 7th of February 2012, the environment was such that President Nasheed had reason to believe that his life was in danger.
This information was further verified when PPM Deputy Leader, Umar Naseer, in an interview with Minivan News, confirmed that the ousting of President Nasheed “did not happen automatically” and that “planning, propaganda and lots of work” went in to oust the constitutionally‐elected President. Mr Naseer refused to cooperate with the Commonwealth approved CoNI.
In addition, former cabinet minister (for the present government), Ms Dhiyana Saeed has published a memoir regarding the events of 7th February 2012, and states that a certain ‘Mr X and Mr Y’ (later revealed as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Mohamed Nazim and MP Mohamed Nasheed respectively) had spoken to her of a plan to assassinate President Nasheed, in which the present Minister of Defence and the Commissioner of Police were involved.
It is a grave matter of concern, that none of these issues were highlighted by the two observers appointed by the Commonwealth to CoNI’s investigation.
In light of the above, it is evident that the validity of the CoNI report is questionable. These are the three issues we would like to see the Commonwealth focusing on:
1. Reopening the CoNI report in the light of the latest information and establishing why these testimonies and evidence from leading members of the military and police were not included in the CoNI report.
2. Overseeing a further inquiry into the threats against the life of the former head of state, President Mohamed Nasheed.
3. Pressuring the current president to establish a caretaker government until free and fair elections can be held.
Lucy Johnson is a member of UK-based NGO, Friends of Maldives
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Seriously? They should also open the cases of Nasheed been hijacked by core corrupt faction with in MDP!
An interim caretaker govt before July is vital, if the elections are to be free and fair
100% agreed with this article.
It seems to me Common Wealth is full of bureaucracy and is not effective in modern world. When you investigate such cases you must prove it beyond no doubt at all otherwise it is just like a makeup on the face.
Some high ranking officials of The Commonwealth had been briefed about the coup before it really took place in order that they could coverup the whole incident. Some common folks here in the street even accuse them of taking bribes from the coup leaders for an eventual coverup.
This is clearly a currupt and incomplete investigation and shold now be reexamined based on he excluded evidence.
Coni was purchased a million$ by Mr. Maumoon the longest serving president for Maldivian slaves.
If the Commonwealth intends to show its belief in democratic values, then, this is a good opportunity for it to re- open the CoNI report. However,I question the Commonwealth's committment to democracy. I would go as far as to say that those officials who insisted that the report was a true account of that shameful episode on February 7th, are now trying to avoid re visiting the mess they themselves created. I know that not every member of the group that met subsequently agreed with the views that were released as the truth. We implore these people to come foward now and request that the findings of the parliamentary group be taken seriously. The Commonwealth needs to show that they are committed to justice and democratic ideals.
Coni report is done as the wish of all coup leaders. The coup is made in front of all Maldivian and the coup was telecasted lively. We can accept what see more than what we hear. CONI report said that we are blind or we were day dreaming.