Category: News in Brief

State to decide on President’s ability to grant clemency to death row convicts

The state has been given the opportunity to respond over annulling the President’s ability to grant clemency to convicts on death row.

The High Court hearing gave the state the opportunity to decide over the matter of dismissing the authority given to President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik in accordance with the constitution.

The case submitted to the High Court states that the victim’s family has the power to pardon convicts in accordance to Islamic principles, while the death penalty can only be enforced with the unanimous consent of all heirs.

The case questioned why statements are taken from heirs if the President can ultimately decide on granting clemency to murderers, and that this could be considered as a violation of the rights given to the victim’s family.

The case states that article 268 of the constitution obliges all laws and regulations adhere to Islamic principles, while any law contradicting it will be void. It further states that under article 10 of the constitution, any law or regulation that defies the Islamic Shariah is forbidden.

Therefore, the case claims that the power afforded to the President to grant clemency is a violation of article 10 of the constitution. Furthermore, the clemency bill must not be a power afforded to the President under article 268 and that it must be annulled.

The case states that while the Maldives theoretically has a death penalty under Islamic Shariah, the last person to be judicially executed was Hakim Didi in 1953, who was executed by firing squad after being found guilty of conspiracy to murder using black magic.

State Attorney Usama Moosa said research has been conducted by the state and that the process is ongoing. Mossa added that because the case relates to capital punishment, the state had requested legal expertise from various persons.

Chair of the Judges bench Abdul Rauf said that the case is not specific to capital punishment but it relates to clemency.

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Maldives National Movement to protest against Nexbis

The Maldives National Movement is to begin protesting against Nexbis and the Border Control System (BCS) project, should the GMR contract be annulled.

The National Movement was formed by government coalition parties who oppose the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) development being run by GMR.

Speaking at a press conference held at Traders Hotel today (November 26), Steering Committee member of National Movement and Minister of State for Tourism Ahmed Shameem said that the group aims to protest against all illegal agreements made.

“The names of our activities are constantly changing. We had to protest in the name of National Movement because these issues required action to be taken at national level.

“Our first target was to settle the airport issue. After that, we will not hesitate to take action against the Border Control System issue either. We will do that, we will protest against all issues that citizens do not accept,” he said.

Shameem stated that the National Movement is prepared to get the country on the right track, along with the help of Maldivian citizens.

“We have yet to find out if the ‘People’s Majlis’ is in fact a people’s Parliament. We will do that too, if you participate. Some members of Parliament believe that they control the whole country, that they can do whatever they want. So that’s also something we will protest against,” he said.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has decided to ask the government to cancel the agreement on Border Control System project, a move supported by the Attorney General and Finance Ministry.

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Case on parliament property damage by MDP MPs to be submitted to police

A case concerning damage caused to parliament property by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs on 19 March 2012 is to be submitted to police.

The Parliamentary Behavioural Committee passed a motion to submit the case following a meeting held today (November 26).

Parliament has informed that on the day in question, damage was caused to desks, touch screens, 15 name boards, mic systems, administrative desks and voting cards in the parliament chamber.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ahmed Mahloof proposed the case, which was then supported by PPM interim deputy President MP Abdul Raheem Abdullah.

Five out of 10 members present at today’s committee meeting voted in favour of submitting the case to the Police.

Committee Chairman and PPM MP Mohamed Mujthaz did not participate in the vote.

MDP committee members proposed that no motions should be passed by the committee until the regulation on behavioural issues of MPs is passed by parliament.

This proposition was voted in favour by four MPs, including independent member for Velidhoo MP Ali Mohamed.

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Maldivians detained in Pakistan now released

Two Maldivians detained at a jail in Pakistan have been released, the foreign ministry has revealed.

An official from foreign ministry has said that the families are now trying to bring them back to Male.

The Maldivian High Commission in Pakistan earlier revealed that the two detained in Rawalpindi, Pakistan are Nadal Rasheed of Henveiru Dhoohimerige and Hussain Naaz of Maafannu Madan.

The reason behind their arrest has yet to be officially revealed, however Haveeru has reported that they were arrested in connection with a drugs case.

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President appoints Spokesperson Riza as Minister of State for Finance and Treasury

Former President Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has been appointed as the Minister of State for Finance and Treasury.

The position of spokesperson has now been assigned to ahmed Thaufeeg, Adivsor of Political Affairs at the President’s Office. The President’s Office gave no indication for the change.

Earlier this month, Riza sparked a diplomatic incident following an outburst aimed at the Indian High Commissioner in Maldives.

Speaking at an anti-GMR rally, Riza claimed that the commissioner was a “traitor and enemy of Maldives and Maldivian people. We don’t want these kind of diplomats on our soil”.

The comments prompted the government to disassociate itself from Riza’s remarks.

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Global ITF affiliates respond to calls for solidarity with MPWU members

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) affiliates have responded to a call for solidarity with members of the Maldives Port Workers Union (MPWU) over the alleged infringement of employee rights.

Earlier this year MPWU reported violations of their rights by employer Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). These included the dismissal of several workers and union leaders.

The ITF is now calling for President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik to instruct the management of state-owned MPL to enter into dialogue with the union in order for the problems to be addressed.

Recently, the President’s Office sent a letter to ITF claiming to have taken steps to address the issue, however it was labelled as “not convincing” by an ITF spokesperson.

President of MPWU Ibrahim Khaleel recently confirmed that a meeting had taken place with the President to discuss the dispute, however there is concern from the MPWU that the assurances made have yet to be put into practice.

Speaking to Minivan News earlier this month he said: “The president said that he would address the issue, however two weeks have passed and there has been no sign of negotiation and I have had no contact with the President’s Office.”

Unions from other countries including Germany, Liberia, Mauritius and Mexico have sent out protest letters and messages of solidarity.

Stephen Cotton, ITF acting general secretary said: “The ITF will go ahead with its campaign to mobilise its affiliates worldwide to pressure the Maldivian government so that its starts an immediate dialogue with the MPWU.

  1. “This should be aimed at resolving the dispute by reinstating the dismissed union office bearers and activists, recognising the union and negotiating to establish decent wages and working conditions in the ports.”
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Government informs diplomats of decision to take action on airport issue

The government has informed diplomats regarding its decision to “take action” on issues related to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

Government spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza mentioned that the GMR contract was discussed, but did not give any further details.

A senior official of the President’s Office said that the information was shared with diplomats during a teleconference held by Riza and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon on Tuesday.

“They were informed that the contract results in serious losses to the state, and that the government has decided to take action on this issue,” the official said.

Rumours have been circulating social networking sites over the last week that the government plans to annul its contract with GMR at a cabinet meeting this Tuesday (November 27).

Minivan News obtained a personal letter sent by GMR Chairman G M Rao to President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, proposing an amendment to the Airport Service Charge exempting Maldivian nationals from having to pay the fee.

The letter notes that there has been no correspondence from the President’s Office regarding the proposal prior to sending the letter.

No information has been disclosed by the government regarding the GMR contract. However, anti-GMR parties said after meeting with the President, he had assured the government’s decision on GMR will be “as per people’s wishes”.

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High Court concludes hearings into appeal against Jabir’s release

The High Court has concluded hearings in to the appeal against Jumhoree Party (JP) MP Abdulla Jabir’s release order issued by the Kulhudhufushi Magistrate Court.

Jabir’s legal team told local media that the extension of detention form submitted to the Kulhudhufushi Magistrate Court by the police said that nothing was found on Jabir.

The state attorney told the court that Jabir was sitting at a table with alcohol bottles on it, had a glass containing alcohol, and was drunk when police arrived on the scene, local media reported.

The state also noted that Jabir refused to give urine for forensic examination to test if he was positive for any illegal drug.

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Bangladeshi national found murdered

Police have discovered the body of a Bangladeshi man killed inside a building on Male’s main tourism street.

Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef told Minivan News that the man was murdered with a sharp object.

‘’We are investigating the attack and we have identified the victim,’’ Haneef said. ‘’We will provide details later.’’

According to police the victim was found on the sixth floor of a building on Chandhanee Magu. Local media reported that the building, located near Gloria Mart, was used for storing resort supply goods.

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