Members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have taken to the streets in Malé for a third consecutive day as they vow to continue demonstrating until President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan’s administration is overthrown.
A few hundred protesters continue to gather at the junction of Orchid Magu and Chaandhanee Magu despite overcast skies and frequent rain showers. Police have set up barricades to block access to the Republican Square, the area encompassing the President’s Office, and police and military headquarters.
The MDP alleges President Mohamed Nasheed was ousted in a “coup d’état” on February 7, and has held regular marches throughout the Maldives calling for early elections.
Meanwhile, the final report of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) set up to probe the circumstances of the controversial transfer of power is not expected to be complete until the end of August. The composition of the CNI was recently revised over international concerns about the impartiality of the body.
Heckling
The MDP protests today remained so far peaceful at the time of press, but Minivan News again observed protesters heckling police, in some instances mobbing law enforcement officers as they travelled on their motorcycles.
Police clashed violently with protesters on Monday night. Photos posted on social media shows police using pepper spray and batons as they attempted to disperse the protests. According to Sun Online, police attacked protesters without warning after former President Nasheed arrived at the area.
Police Spokesperson Hassan Haneef said 27 people continue to remain in police custody. The detainees are charged with obstruction of police duty and breaking through police barricades. Two journalists were arrested, but released after a few hours in detention.
Haneef also said that a policeman was injured in last night’s clashes after a protester threw a pavement brick at the officer’s face. Local tourist souvenir shops in the area have also filed complaints regarding the protests, Haneef added.
Speaking to local media yesterday (July 10), MDP Spokesperson and Malé MP Imthiaz Fahmy said the MDP will end street protests only when President Waheed’s administration is overthrown or when the government announces a date for an early election.
The EU and Commonwealth have called for early elections in 2012. However, President Waheed has said the earliest date allowed for elections under the constitution is July 2013. The MDP, have previously claimed that early elections could be held within two months of the president resigning.
The MDP also today called for the immediate release of protesters, claiming arrests illustrated President Waheed’s “flagrant disregard for the constitutionally given rights to freedom of assembly and expression.” MDP MP Fahmy appealed to the public “to participate in MDP’s direct action to protest against and bring an end to this unelected government.”
Over 650 people have been arrested since President Waheed took office, the MDP claims.
“Five months on from the coup d’etat that overthrew the Maldives’ first democratic government, Dr. Waheed continues to violate the fundamental rights of his citizens through illegitimate means. Maldivian citizens have and will continue to exercise their constitutional rights to express their disapproval of the regime and call for immediate elections to restore democracy in the Maldives,” Malé MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor said in the MDP statement.
Amnesty International has issued multiple statements since the transfer of power condemning police’s use of excessive force against protesters. Police have denied Amnesty’s allegations.
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If you are so certain that it is a coup d'etat, why a commission of national inquiry, Honorable MP Hamid?
Honorable? A monkey?
Sad state we are in. Monkeys, Cranes and Ravens are leading the country.
Continue the protests! Excellent.
Does no one seem to realize that at the end of the day, all parties need to work together for the good of the nation?
At one hand you have Anni asking people not to come to Maldives, and on the other hand you have people making opposite statements!
If you cannot mature and work together now, things are not going to get better under any government.
There are so many pressing issues like youth unemployment and unrest. Yet national level figures are busy fighting like monkeys for a few rotten bananas while the country goes to hell.
There is no one strong, or with a personality who gives a fig about the country and can lead it to prosperity.
Stop arguing over your rotten bananas, you are already drowning in debt.
Have some shame, conduct yourselves as inspirational leaders and give your children something to look forward to.
no doubt February 7th change of government was a Police & MNDF lead MUTINY funded and organized by Gayyyoom and his cronies who could not tolerate or wait till 2013 Presidential Poll
addu on Wed, 11th Jul 2012 1:28 PM
"no doubt February 7th change of government was a Police & MNDF lead MUTINY funded and organized by Gayyyoom and his cronies who could not tolerate or wait till 2013 Presidential Poll"
Indeed! Check out the Malaysia connection! There's a very good reason why a lot of transactions took place in Malaysia, i.e. specifically to avoid the radar of the authorities at that time.
who cares whether ti was coup or not ? Nasheed had breached the constitution prior 7th Feb. and by default he no longer holds the presidency once he is in reach of our constitution .
Majority of the people want him to step down and then what was wrong with that.
The guy could not show his leadership when it was given on a plat and when he was removed from the power the bugger still want to have it given in a plate for him to rob this country again.
Maldives being a Commonwealth Member Country is bound by the Harare' Declaration and the subsequent Millbrook Action Plan.
CMAG therefore found it within it's powers to crack down with "International coercion" when they found constitutionality of power transfer dubious after their three member fact finding mission immediately after the event.
Therefore (1) Early elections (2) CoNI and (3) no arrests! They do not depend on each other, except all tracks to be followed to the letter which Waheed is staggering seriously with.
hey,what happened to the good old seyku Nasheed asking his supporters not to overthrow the current government.See, this is what is wrong with him.he's the biggest liar of the nation, maybe the whole world.in a life time also i don't think any nation can find a bigger liar than seyku nasheed. what is wrong with this gamaaru party and what the hell is Hamid(playboy)gafoor saying.the so called democratically elected president acted so undemocratic at his time of power.