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Nasheed sole focus of government’s charges following CNI findings: Home Minister

Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has told local media that former President Mohamed Nasheed was the only individual the government would charge following the findings of the Commission of National Inquiry’s (CNI)’s report.

Addressing the February 8 police crackdown on demonstrators, Jameel claimed that the government had not yet been able to organise or appoint a full cabinet on the day.  He added that the police themselves were responsible for their acts at that time and any potential charges they may face over the report’s conclusions.

Dr Jameel said that the Police Integrity Commission (PIC), according to its mandate, will look into issues concerning police conduct.

The fourth key finding of the CNI report called for an investigation of acts of police brutality of February 6, 7 and 8, although this was not revealed by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan during the report’s release on Thursday.

Spokesman for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Hamid Abdul Ghafoor today responded to Jameel’s comments, saying: “The people who committed these crimes are responsible for implementing the CNI. The CNI has given room for politicians to free themselves.”

Ghafoor said that the report “articulated urgency” with regards to generating confidence in the nation’s key institutions.

He also reiterated the MDP’s call for the immediate implementation of legal proceedings against those implicated in wrong doing.

During a press conference yesterday, Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim stated that he wanted to further highlight Nasheed’s “lies”.  He added that contrary to Nasheed’s claims the day before, the CNI report made no mention of any illegal actions or involvement in an alleged “coup d’etat” by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Former President Nasheed recently suggested that a core of 300 police and military officers were “undermining the public interest of the entire country”.

Ghaoor said today that as long as these people remained in their positions, “the country will be run by a military dictatorship”, before appealing to CMAG to review the findings of the report.

“I do not believe they will leave the country at the mercy of armed forces,” said Ghafoor following the Commonwealth’s encouragement of all sides to respect the report’s findings.

Jameel yesterday indicated his belief that the CNI report relieved the current government of any further obligations to negotiate with Nasheed, regardless of any external pressure.

“No international power can coerce this government into discussions with Nasheed again. This chapter closes here,” Dr Jameel said.

Both Jameel and Attorney General (AG) Azima Shukoor went on to advise the country’s youth against backing Nasheed, calling him a “habitual liar”.

“Do you realise what sort of a man you are following? He is a habitual liar, do you understand? And what exactly do you achieve by staying behind him? You just have to keep facing police and military action, be answerable to PG and courts, and end up in jail, leaving your young wives and children behind. Is this the future you want?” Dr Jameel said.

Statements from the United States, India, the United Nations and the Commonwealth all urged continuing dialogue amongst political actors.

Nazim said that, just as he had stated prior to the release of the report, the government would not be taking any action against any MNDF officers with regard to the CNI report.

Nazim did confirm that he would be taking legal action against all persons who referred to any MNDF soldier or to himself as ‘baaghee’ (a Dhivehi word meaning: a traitor who had brought about or participated in a coup).

The executive summary of the CNI report stated that urgent reforms were needed to the “basic institutions of democratic governance” and that justice “needs to be seen to be done in order to reassure the public and inspire their confidence.”

Nazim instead focused on the report’s ruling that there had been no coup in the Maldives, and hence no one had a right to label as traitors either the soldiers or any member of the executive, including himself, who, despite having been relieved of his duties officially, had acted as a commander of the MNDF Forces on February 7 in a personal capacity.

“Because I was there in a personal capacity, President Nasheed has often named me as a man who has administered a coup. But I would like to point out that my name does not come up in the CNI report at all,” Nazim claimed.

Nazim is identified in the CNI report as one of three “critical participants” on February 7  as one of three people who – along with current Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz –  “had been watching what was going on at Republican Square and felt it was their moral obligation and  public duty to intervene.”

“These three men, when they arrived at Republican Square, appeared to  enjoy positive rapport with the opposition groups outside the MNDF HQ and quickly  assumed leadership roles, particularly with the police. There is no suggestion that they were appointed or given specific authority,” the report states.

Regarding a statement by the international advisers in the CNI defending the commission’s professionalism and integrity, Attorney General Shukoor said that the international community may have taken Nasheed’s nominee Ahmed Saeed (Gahaa)’s claims more seriously had he submitted a dissenting opinion instead of handing in his resignation.

The attorney general alleged that Saeed was unable to do this as he did not have enough evidence to back his claims.  She said that if anyone wished to contest the findings of CNI, they were advised to file the case in court.

Ghafoor today lamented what he saw as the failings of the CNI: “It does not seem as if [the MDP’s] troubles are over. Doesn’t look as if trouble for the country as a whole is over.”

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Habitual protests “hindering Maldives development as a modern democracy”: CNI Advisers

International advisors to the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) – Judicial Advisor Sir Bruce Robertson and Legal Advisor Professor John Packer – have defended the commission’s independence and professionalism in the wake of criticism from the MDP’s representative.

Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed resigned from the commission the evening prior to report’s publication, expressing concern that the CNI had experienced the withholding of evidence, non-cooperation from crucial witnesses, non-examination of witnesses, witnesses being intimidated or obstructed, testimonies and evidence that was not reviewed, and misleading translations.

“Four of the five members acted at all times with independence and integrity in carrying out the important task for the future of the nation,” stated Robertson and Packer, in an appendix to the report. “The other member was not at all times willing or able to act independently and resigned the evening before the report was submitted and published.”

Saeed’s resignation created “discord and mistrust” in a community “in desperate need of reconciliation”, the pair claimed, defending the professionalism of the CNI’s methods.

“We have seen nothing but objective and independent professionalism in the institution. The Commission has sensibly and sensitively heard all who wanted to make a contribution. It has firmly and fairly held participants to telling what they had heard and seen for themselves and deflected them from conjecture and speculation without facts.”

“The nation has been well served by the Commissioners and any assertions of bias or lack of objectivity levelled against those remaining have no justification. They reflect badly on those making unfounded allegations,” Packer and Robertson stated.

“For the evidence collecting exercise to have value all witnesses had to be questioned and challenged about their recollections of events and the basis for them. Equally they had to be confronted with alternative evidence so they had the opportunity to comment on it. Some found this process unsettling. Many were familiar and only comfortable with making assertions and not being required to justify or explain how they had reached their view,” they noted.

As the evidence unfolded, the advisors said they observed “a national obsession with street demonstrating at an alarming level”.

“Some would want to call [this] an example of the rights of freedom of expression and assembly. In reality it is rather more bully-boy tactics involving actual and threatened intimidation by a violent mob,” they stated.

“This perpetual behaviour is sapping public life and hindering the Maldives’ development as a modern democracy.”

The evidence revealed longstanding tensions in the Constitution as a result of a Presidential system being “grafted” on to a parliamentary system.

“The creation of independent commissions will only be the safety valve intended when they are adequately resourced and fulfil their mandates in a timely and decisive manner,” they observed.

Furthermore, “Fundamental to the operation of a modern democratic society is the existence of an operating and absolutely independent judiciary which has the confidence of the entire community. Radical action is required to breathe utility into much of the state framework, especially to ensure the proper administration of justice. This cannot wait.”

Dunya writes to McKinnon

The comments from the international advisers followed a letter sent to Commonwealth Envoy to the Maldives Sir Donald McKinnon by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon., daughter of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

In the letter, obtained by Minivan News, Dunya advises McKinnon that Saeed had “put the Commission’s work at risk by publicly questioning the credibility of its draft report, three days before its scheduled publication.

“He has also questioned the integrity of the highly respected senior judge from Singapore, Justice Selvam, the Co-Chair of the Commission, who was recruited by the Commonwealth. This is a disturbing development that could inflame the already heated political environment in the Maldives,” Dunya wrote.

She informed McKinnon that it was “time the Commonwealth puts into perspective the pattern of behavior by former President Nasheed since he resigned from the office of President, and ponders the credibility of his accusations and claims.”

“The government is committed to bringing stability into the country and cultivating the values of democracy in the Maldives,” she claimed.

“You may recall that while accepting Mr Saeed’s name to the CNI, the government made it very clear its strong reservations about Mr Saeed’s impartiality and independence because of his close associations with the MDP.

“We request you call upon former President Nasheed and his supporters in the MDP, as well as Mr Saeed, to stop their intimidatory actions and let the work of the CNI proceed to a successful conclusion. The Commonwealth’s valuable role in resolving the political tensions in the maldives is a critical one, and that role should also be seen to be fair as well,” Dunya wrote.

“Otherwise there is a risk that the country’s young democracy might be pushed into a steep decline where only chaos will reign.”

Former President Nasheed on Friday accepted the CNI’s report, subject to Saeed’s reservations, however he observed that the report had effectively set a legal precedent under Maldivian law for the overthrow of an elected government through police or mob action.

This, he said, left the Maldives “in a very awkward, and in many ways, very comical” situation, “where toppling the government by brute force is taken to be a reasonable course of action. All you have to do find is a narrative for that course of action.”

Minivan News is currently waiting for a response from MDP Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor.

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Comment: So long, and thanks for all the democracy

On the night of August 29, groups of uniformed officials of the Maldives Police Service were observed going around Malé in trucks, singing songs and mocking opposition MDP activists – the same ones they brutalised in a nationally televised theatre of violence during the events of February 7th and 8th.

The next morning, large groups of uniformed police were huddled together on the streets in their riot gear, their faces concealed by balaclavas, while the country awaited an announcement from the Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) appointed by the Waheed regime to ‘investigate’ the controversial transfer of power.

The announcement surprised exactly nobody; the council of pigs had found in favour of Napoleon. There was no coup, it ruled. In fact, there wasn’t even a police mutiny. And if there was one, it didn’t quite break any law, the report found.

By evening, the Waheed regime’s Police Service – now apparently empowered to make their own laws – had declared that calling them ‘traitors’ was now a crime, and any person indulging in the act would be arrested.

The declaration followed in the footsteps of two citizens being arrested in recent days for the offence of calling Waheed a ‘traitor’. Journalists witnessed one lady being taken away on 30th August, allegedly for the crime of taking photographs of the police.

Over the course of the day, scores of MDP protesters would be detained by the police in ancticipation of large scale protests against the findings of the report, and the continued demands for early elections.

With the international community apparently eager to wash its hands off the Maldives, there will be plenty of time and opportunity for the police to deal with troublesome critics over the remainder of Waheed’s rule.

The CoNI Report

Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed, the sole representative of President Nasheed on the 5 member Commission, resigned the day before the report was to be made public. In a press conference following the publication of the report, Saeed pointed out what appear to be serious lapses in gathering evidence and recording testimony in preparation of the final report.

Among them, he highlighted that CCTV footage was provided for only 3 out of 8 cameras around the MNDF area, and even those had hours of footage edited out. No sufficient explanation was given by the security forces.

The Commission was not provided any CCTV footage by the Police and the President’s office, according to Saeed. Nor was CoNI granted access to information gathered by the Police Integrity Commission.

Furthermore, no interviews were held with any official of the notorious ‘Special Operations’, the highly trained riot control force that played a crucial role in the ouster of the first democratically elected government, as well as the subsequent targeted attacks on civilians, MDP leaders and party activists. Also missing was the testimony of Umar Naseer, the Deputy Leader of PPM who has publicly declared his role in the overthrow of the elected government, and revealed the existence of a ‘command centre’.

According to Saeed, other prominent interviewees alleged to have played a role in the coup d’etat appeared to have been coached, with all of them giving standard, non-commmital responses.

None of these alleged lapses or limitations were highlighted in the final report.

Illegal duress

Section 4F of the report, defining ‘Coercion in Law’ begins as follows:

“Coercion, as used in the Decree, refers to the American legal concept of illegal duress or the English legal concept of intimidation. This is a real threat delivered by one or more wrongdoers to another to harm and injure the latter or his family if the victim does not do something as demanded”

But surprisingly, the report makes no mention of the leaked audio recordings, first aired by Australia’s SBS Dateline program, that clearly reveal the President pleading for the safety of his family in return for his resignation on the morning of February 7.

There were a few other sections of the report that raises eyebrows. Regarding an allegation about an SMS purpotedly sent by the then Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, allegedly asking for the disbursement of 2.4 million Rufiyaa to the mutinying cops, the Commission had this to report:

“[Mr. Saleem] debunked the message effortlessly, claiming that he did not recall sending such a message. After hearing him, the Commission would not invade and investigate the privacy and personal affairs of all and sundry…”

While the first sentence suggests some truly extraordinary levels of trust placed by the Commission in the testimony of the accused, the second reveals an inexplicable reluctance in pursuing every possible avenue of inquiry to uncover all relevant facts behind the power transfer – which, by definition, was the Commission’s job.

Furthermore, the report seems to paint a picture that the President was completely secure and faced no threat inside the MNDF HQ, when in reality it is undisputed that sections of the already outnumbered military had broken ranks and joined with the hostile police and opposition protesters in rioting outside.

Video recordings aired on National television showed military officers refusing to obey the President’s orders. Retired colonel Mohamed Nazim, in the video clip where he is seen addressing the mutinying forces outside, talks about being received warmly inside the MNDF HQ.

Indeed the CoNI report itself quotes him as saying “When I entered the military headquarters I was given a very happy scene. Everyone within the military lifted me up and very completely revealed their support for me. God willing, things will happen today as we want”.

If one is familiar with the fate of former Maldivian rulers facing chaotic mobs, then one realizes that guns were not necessary to threaten the President’s life. All that was required was for a solitary soldier to throw open the gates.
The report itself states elsewhere that all command and control was lost.

All of this appears entirely contradictory to the conclusions of the report that asserts that President Nasheed remained in control and had legal options to employ force to deal with the situation, which he refused to do – and therefore could not claim he resigned under duress.

This lends some credence to President Nasheed’s claims that the report was prepared with the political situation in mind, rather than with any serious ambition of uncovering facts.

Options before the MDP: Way forward

It is unrealistic to imagine that ordinary civilians, no matter how numerous or passionate, can topple a regime that is protected by a modern, trained, unsympathetic – and in this case, hostile – police and armed security forces.

The police have superior training, equipment, strategy, organization, intelligence gathering and other resources to counter and defeat any move that civilian protestors could possibly make. The same forces that protected the dictator Gayoom against an overwhelming tide of unpopularity can sufficiently protect his alleged puppet.

Given these realities, it is wise that President Nasheed has chosen to make a major concession and accept the findings of the report, while calling to implement its much welcome recommendations that include the strengthening of various institutions such as the HRCM, Police Integrity Commission, JSC and the Judiciary while also calling for swift action to be taken against rogue cops, who the report acknowledges had engaged in acts of brutality towards civilians.

While there remain serious injustices to be addressed and plenty of reasons for the MDP to be rightfully outraged, the path forward necessarily involves having to break the political gridlock that has paralyzed the nation since late last year.

It is clearly in the best interests of the public that the All Party talks resume and the daily business of running the nation and fixing the economy take centre stage again.

There are important lessons to learn from February 7. President Nasheed and the MDP need to introspect and reflect on their own considerable mistakes and poor judgments. The most important among them, perhaps, is committing to uphold the rule of law without any compromises, no matter how morally justifiable it may be.

With under a year left for the next scheduled elections, the MDP would be well advised to direct its efforts and resources on going back to the people and rallying them behind larger ideals.

Ultimately, one must remember that it was the people who handed a mandate to President Nasheed in 2008, and despite the ugly precedent set by the police and military, it will hopefully be the people once again who will make the decision in 2013.

So long, and thanks for all the democracy

With the publication of the CoNI report, and the apparent willingness of the international community to confer the same legitimacy on Waheed that it once granted the iron-fisted Gayoom – ostensibly with ‘stability’ in mind – the clocks have effectively been turned back a few years.

The Maldives’ unprecedented democratic revolution that began in the early 2000’s has ended prematurely, and many of the gains made since then have now effectively been reversed.

After three years, the Police have once again become an entity to be feared and loathed. The familiar intimidation of the media, and bullying tactics that were so widely prevalent during the Gayoom dictatorship is also back.

Waheed’s regime has been outright hostile to the free media, repeatedly barring the only opposition-aligned TV station from covering President’s office press conferences, and permanently withdrawing police protection for the channel’s reporters – despite explicit constitutional safeguards upholding media freedom. There is plenty of visual evidence of Raajje TV’s reporters being harassed and pepper sprayed at close range by the police; targeted attacks on the station by pro-government goons in August forced the station to interrupt services.

Citizens now face arrest for merely calling Waheed and his police forces ‘traitors’, whereas his regime regularly and unapologetically refers to citizens demanding early elections as ‘terrorists’.

The runaway judiciary remains weak and ineffectual, and there is no longer an elected President in power with any interest in fixing this crucial, but broken third leg of the base on which the country’s democracy was built to stand.

With a spineless media, a lethargic civil society, an incompetent Judiciary, weak institutions and watchdogs, a heavily politicized Police and military, not to mention the overarching influence of money and corruption in the whole process, the gargantuan task of achieving practical democracy in the Maldives appears forbidding, if not downright impossible.

To sow the seeds for a new revolution, the MDP needs to go back to the grassroots and educate the public.

February 7: the legacy

February 7 has left in its wake some very unwelcome precedents and niggling questions.

First among them is the newly acquired role of the police and military in determining the transfer of power, which the constitution had originally envisaged as being the sole prerogative of the voting public.

Will all future governments of the Maldives be required to buy the loyalty of the uniformed services with a range of perks, pay hikes, unprecedented promotions and turning a blind eye to their excesses and brutality in order to remain in power, as demonstrated by the Waheed regime?

Shall the Maldives follow in the footsteps of Pakistan that, over 65 years since independence, has failed to see a single democratically elected government complete a full term?

Finally, will the Maldivian judiciary ever become a house of justice for the public? Or will it remain perpetually overrun by incompetent fools, resistant to any external attempt bring them in line with the ideals enshrined in the constitution?

Does the Maldivian public really stand a chance to complete the democratic transition process we embarked on nearly a decade ago? Or will the next guy to attempt this Herculean task also pay the same price that Mohamed Nasheed did?

All comment pieces are the sole view of the author and do not reflect the editorial policy of Minivan News. If you would like to write an opinion piece, please send proposals to [email protected]

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CNI report leaves Maldives with “awkward”, “comical” precedent: Nasheed

Additional reporting by Mariyath Mohamed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said he accepts the report produced by the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) subject to the reservations of his member on the Commonwealth-backed commission, Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed.

The CNI found that there was no coup on February 7, that Nasheed did not resign under duress, and that police and military officers did not mutiny.

Saeed resigned from the commission the evening prior to report’s publication, expressing concern that the CNI had experienced the withholding of evidence, non-cooperation from crucial witnesses, non-examination of witnesses, witnesses being intimidated or obstructed, testimonies and evidence that was not reviewed.  Concern was also expressed over the organisation by the CNI secretariat.

“I believe the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) will consider the reservations about the CNI’s work that Saeed has noted, and that these issues will also be included in the CMAG report,” Nasheed said, at a press conference this afternoon.

The former President observed that the CNI’s report had effectively set a legal precedent under Maldivian law for the overthrow of an elected government through police or mob action.

This, he said, left the Maldives “in a very awkward, and in many ways, very comical” situation, “where toppling the government by brute force is taken to be a reasonable course of action. All you have to do find is a narrative for that course of action.”

“The pronouncement on the transfer of power was a political announcement – not based on findings or facts. This political pronouncement is based in my view on what would be best for the country from now on, not on exactly what happened that day,” Nasheed said.

“I see the report as a document that tries to map a way forward. The commission was of the view that reinstating my 2008 government would be so messy that it would be best to move forward with another election. So the report has tried so hard to come out with this view through a proper narrative. You will have read the narrative and will understand that at times it is comical, but still, it is a narrative.

“I still am of the view that the commission report has established a precedent which in many ways is not very alien to our past practices. Usually if a mob comes to the palace and stands there for a lengthy amount of time, and if other locals are connected to the mob, the king has very little room to maneuver,” Nasheed said.

“We seem to have been unable to get away from this very feudal system of governance. We were hoping the new constitution would be enlightened enough to give us a system whereby governments would change simply through the ballot box, but it now looks like it was not so simple. I think it will take time before we are able to settle down to more democratic forms.

“My message to the international community is when you recommend issues, situations, solutions programmes and projects to other societies and people, it is so very important to understand the detailed intricacies of the local conditions.

“We still hope elections will be held early, and we will go to elections with a programme, as we always have, and we believe that we will win that election in the first round very handsomely. We have no doubt about that.”

Nasheed noted that all major coalition-aligned parties had signalled their acceptance of the report and its recommendations, including former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP) Leader Thasmeen Ali, “and my former vice president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik”, and emphasised that one of the major recommendations in the report that they had agreed to was for action taken against unlawful acts committed by the security forces.

“We call for a criminal investigation, and they must then be tried in court and be sentenced as due,” he said.

“We are not surprised, this was one outcome the MDP had predicted. If the report suggested there was no duress [in the resignation] but that there were wrongdoings by the police and military, then all these wrongdoings must be addressed immediately within a period of one month, with the international community’s support in doing so,” Nasheed added.

During his speech at the report’s release on Thursday, President Mohamed Waheed did not reveal the CNI’s fourth finding – that there were “acts of police brutality on February 6, 7 and 8 that must be investigated and pursued further by relevant authorities”.

Referring to the CNI report’s conclusion that the controversial February 7 change of power was “constitutional”, Nasheed said that if this were the case, then he believed that parties who were not included in the victorious 2008 coalition had no right to participate in the current unity government, specifically Gayoom’s Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and the DRP.

Nasheed called for his impending trial at Hulhumale Court – a move recently upheld by the High Court – to be expedited, and also expressed concern at the arbitrary arrest of his supporters for calling police and public officials ‘baghees’ (traitors).

“It is always their hard work that brings things to realisation, that impresses upon everyone the gravity of issues, and if you have a look at who was arrested last night, you can see that the core of them are the intelligentsia of this country,” Nasheed said.

“They are young, highly qualified and they have an opinion. If you want to keep arresting people with an opinion, that says very little about your democratic credentials.”

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Commonwealth endorses CNI, MDP claims report “legitimises coup”

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has welcomed the release of the report by the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), and urged “all concerned to respect the findings of the commission so that, moving forward, all actions and reactions reflect the sense of responsibility and restraint necessary in the best national interest.“

The report, delivered by Singaporean judge G. P. Selvam to President Mohamed Waheed Hassan on the morning of August 30, claimed there was no evidence to support claims by former President Mohamed Nasheed that he was ousted in a coup d’état, that his resignation was under duress, or that there was any mutiny by the police and military.

Regarding the resignation of Nasheed’s member on the Commission Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed, on the grounds that the commission had failed to consider key evidence, testimonies and phone recordings, Secretary-General Sharma said it “was unfortunate that Mr Saeed felt he must dissociate himself from the findings of the Commission.”

“I commend the members of the commission for the intensive work they did to produce the report. I also note the report identifies a number of important issues that need to be addressed regarding the basic institutions of democratic governance, notably the rule of law and administration of justice, the People’s Majlis (Parliament), and the media. This report provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to reflect calmly and carefully, and find a way forward based on dialogue, consensus and reconciliation.

“The task ahead for all Maldivians must be to strengthen democracy in the Maldives. An atmosphere of peace and public order is essential for that to happen,” Sharma said.

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to the Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, will shortly return to the country “to explore how the Commonwealth can assist Maldives to move forward in a peaceful and consensual manner, and how democratic institutions can be further strengthened,” he added.

Government now legitimate: Waheed

President Mohamed Waheed Hassan at a press conference declared his presidency “clearly legitimate”, following the report’s release: “It is time to stop questioning the legitimacy of the government. It is time to stop illegal activities and activities that go against generally acceptable social norms,” Waheed said.

“The Commission’s findings are clearly stated. I do not believe there is any room to raise any questions about the transfer of power.”

“Most of my time and that of my colleagues in government have been consumed in finding ways to contain the loss and minimise damage to people and country. With serious harm inflicted on our tourism industry, we had to work in partnership with the industry to find ways to overcome serious challenges. We had to respond to allegations made to discredit the government and its officials. Much work had to be done to explain the truth to the people of the Maldives and members of the international community,” Waheed stated.

“We should now ask ourselves how we have spent the last six months. What have we spent our energy on? How much have we damaged our economy due to the harm inflicted on our main industry? How have we lived as a people with fear in our hearts and no peace in sight? How much suffering have we endured as a people due to actions by some only to further their own interests? The damage to our economy and social fabric within the last six months cannot be easily recovered.”

Waheed further condemned public criticism of Selvam’s integrity, stating that “I would like to highlight that the personal attacks by some against members of the commission, especially the attacks on co-chair Justice Selvam’s character, are not acceptable in a civilised society.”

“May the Almighty Allah bestow upon the people of Maldives a better tomorrow. May Allah keep our country a peace loving nation. May Allah keep this land of ours independent and peaceful forever.”

Following the press statement given by President Waheed, the MDP called on an emergency National Executive Council Meeting in the Dharubaaruge conference hall.

A large number of MDP supporters gathered in and outside of Dharubaaruge after the report was released.

During the meeting, several members condemned the actions of Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) for the release of its “inaccurate” report on the controversial transfer of power that took place on February 7.

MDP Spokesperson MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, speaking at the meeting, said that the people would “forever remember” that what happened on February 7 “was a coup”, and said the party would not stop its calls for a “legitimate government”.

“Remember this: the Maldivian people will as long as they live remember that what happened on February 7 was a coup d’etat. What the CNI did was try to legitimise the coup, but truth will prevail. We will remain determined in our calls for a legitimate government,” Fahmy said.

Another attendee called on members of the party to launch “immediate direct action” and protest against the government until it gave way and held democratic elections.

Former Minister of Environment Mohamed Aslam observed that the CNI’s report implied that “anyone who wishes to become President can become so if they gather the support of the police and military.”

“What we saw was a coup d’etat. If we let such an offence go by without justice, this is a very bad precedent we are setting here, and the MDP will not let that happen. I ask all our members from among the islands to come to Male’ and join us in our cause,” he added.

Outside Dharubaaruge police entered into the amassing crowds, leading to verbal confrontations and some scuffles.

Minivan News observed one young woman being arrested for what nearby protesters alleged was “for taking photos of the police”.

After the confrontations, Special Operations (SO) officers stationed themselves at the two ends of Ameenee Magu in front of Dharubaaruge.

International response

The US State Department also issued a statement on August 30 calling on Maldivians “to respect the findings of the CNI.”

“Now that the commission has released its report we urge all parties to respect those findings, to exercise restraint, obey the rule of law, and continue to express themselves in a peaceful and nonviolent manner,” said State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland.

“Now is the time for all parties to work together through dialogue to chart a positive way forward that respects the Maldivian constitution, democratic institutions, human rights, and the will of the Maldivian people,” Nuland said.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs MEA issued a statement ahead of the report’s release saying that it was “essential for all stakeholders to demonstrate a sense of responsibility in respecting the outcome of the Commission’s report, and to express views on the report of the CNI with calm and restraint.”

“Actions that might adversely impact on the atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the Maldives need to be avoided. India hopes that all political parties in the Maldives would take up the issues arising out of the CNI report through a peaceful political dialogue, to make a way forward for resolving the political situation in the country,” the MEA statement read.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon also issued a statement saying he “welcomed the start today of high-level political dialogue, and hopes that this leads to national reconciliation and a way of moving forward”, while at the same time expressing “concern at the prospect of renewed political tensions should any side not accept the outcome of the inquiry.”

“The secretary-general calls on the parties to respect the constitution, create a peaceful and transparent environment conducive to dialogue and take steps to strengthen democratic reform and institutions,” the statement read.

The EU meanwhile said it had “taken note of the release of the report of the Commission of National Inquiry on the events surrounding the transfer of power in the Maldives on 7 February.”

“It recalls that all political groupings had previously undertaken to respect the CNI’s findings, although the report would certainly have been controversial whatever the outcome. It is now more than ever essential that genuine efforts be made by all political actors to work together in the interests of the country to ensure that the democratic system is upheld; to allow the normal business of government to continue; and to prepare for free and fair elections, which should be held as soon as possible,” said Michael Mann, spokesperson for EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton.

Next move

Former Foreign Minister to the Maldives and UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Dr Ahmed Shaheed, said the results of the Commonwealth’s “shoddy” work was “very disappointing”.

“The problem appears to have been simple – they relied on the work of the former three member commission appointed by Waheed, including the timeline, which received no input from the MDP,” he said.

“This is a setback, largely because the MDP was too willing to make concessions to the government in terms of the CNI’s structure. The MDP should not have accepted Shafeeu [as co-chair], shouldn’t have accepted a judge from a specific country, and should have demanded two representatives. In our eagerness to cooperate, we underestimated Waheed’s lack of sincerity,” Dr Shaheed said.

Key witnesses, such as Deputy Leader of the former opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), Umar Naseer, refused to attend when summoned.

“This was a commission of inquiry and it places the burden of proof on Nasheed, as if he is the plaintiff,” said Dr Shaheed.

“The report is also very contradictory – it says Nasheed used too much force to try and arrest the police, and then says he should have used the force he was legally allowed to. There is no reference to discontent in the army in any way – evidence that was given [to the commission] by very senior people in the armed forces, and it notes that the Police Act does not refer to ‘mutiny’ by police, which is the same as saying it does not refer to ‘rape’.”

“International members on the commission were not provided access to vital evidence such as CCTV footage from police and army headquarters, or of the MNBC takeover,” Dr Shaheed said. “The draft also  came after the three weeks [Selvam] was on leave, missing interviews which would have provided a different picture.”

“This is what you see when you put the light only in one place – you do not see full picture. The report’s shortcomings are evident in its contradictions. It supports the government’s claims, but does not vindicate what happened. It is very hard to justify what is missing from the report.”

By way of example, Dr Shaheed referred to the Commission’s questioning of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr Saleem, over an SMS concerning the distribution of MVR 2.4 million (US$155,640) to the ‘mutinying’ policemen.

“The Commission summoned Mr Saleem. He debunked the message effortlessly, claiming that he did not recall sending such a message,” the report stated.

“He says it didn’t happen and they accept it instantly,” Dr Shaheed challenged.

He  suggested that with the publication of the report, international groups would now “be eager to wash their hands of the Maldives,” – [For example, the Commonwealth is now facing challenges in Gambia].

The MDP would be unwilling to accept the report which would lead to further political turbulence, he predicted.

“This report was the best opportunity to get out of the current situation in a peaceful manner. It is a huge disappointment that will come at great cost to the Maldives,” Dr Shaheed said. “As written, the report endorses direct action and sets a precedent that anyone can overthrow the legitimate government.”

“The report speaks of the need to build institutions, but it condones the violent overthrow of the government which does not set the stage for peaceful reconstruction. This is a setback, but they cannot use a report of this nature to paper over what happened. The MDP is rightly outraged, and we will soon see the true nature of the regime. There are very turbulent times ahead.”

President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza dismissed the MDP’s allegations that the CNI failed to consider key evidence, including phone calls and testimonies – allegations that led Nasheed’s representative on the commission to resign, and the party to challenge its credibility.

“The Commonwealth and UN observers, as well as the members and Judge Selvam, did not agree with Saeed on that point. They said all evidence was taken into account, and the report was compiled according to formal structures they organised,” Riza said.

“The observers met with president and conveyed the message that whatever formalities were performed was international best practice,” he said.

“The government has always maintained its stand that Nasheed will not accept the report or its outcomes, whatever they may be. Nasheed made an agreement with Mckinnon to accept the outcome, whatever the outcome was. Even though he removed his representation, it is already done.”

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Tensions increase as MDP slams CNI outcome

A strong police presence is building around parts of Male’ as opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters gather at the Usfasgandu protest area and the nearby Dharubaaruge conference centre for a meeting of its national congress this afternoon.

Tension has risen over the last 24 hours in the build up to the release of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) report investigating the controversial transfer of power on February 7.  The events brought President Mohamed Waheed Hassan to power.

The findings, unveiled by President Waheed this morning, stated that the change of government was “legal and constitutional”, and the events of February 6 and 7 “were, in large measure, reactions to the actions of President Nasheed.”

The report has been “welcomed” by the Commonwealth, which has called for continued dialogue to find “consensus” on a way forward for the country’s political parties.

However, the MDP has maintained that the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed was removed from office illegitimately.

MDP Spokesperson MP Imthiyaz Fahmy today claimed that the people would forever remember that what happened on February 7 was “a coup” and that the party will not stop their calls for a legitimate government.

“Remember this, the Maldivian people will as long as they live will remember that what happened on February 7 was a coup d’etat. What the CNI did was legitimise the coup, but truth will prevail. We will remain determined in our calls for a legitimate government,” Fahmy said.

Former Minister of Environment Mohamed Aslam claimed that the actions of the CNI implied that anyone “who wished to become president or to come to power” can now become so “if they gather the support of the police and military”

“What we saw was a coup d’etat. If we let such an offence go by without justice, this is a very bad precedent we are setting here, and MDP will not let that happen. I ask all our members, among the islands to come to Male’ and join us in our cause,” he added.

Government-aligned politicians such as Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali have said that while not everyone will agree on the CNI findings, “finality” was now needed on the issue of the transfer of power in order to begin addressing wider political concerns in the country.

Meanwhile, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has issued a statement stating that the findings were a comfort to the institution’s officers and families.

The decision that the transfer of government went according to the constitution by an independent commission was seen as proving accusations against the MNDF were wrong, the military contended.  The statement added the the findings brought courage and confidence to maintain its “important national service”.

Minivan News this morning observed police Special Operations (SO) officers stationed at the two ends of Ameenee Magu in front of Dharubaaruge. The gatherings have so far in general remained peaceful, with police not attempting to disperse the crowds.

Police today expressed concern that the MDP was deciding to take to the streets and announced that 21 persons had been arrested in the last 24 hours.

LIVE UPDATES – refresh this page:

16:52 – Local newspaper Haveeru has reported that the Maldives Police Service (MDP) has sent a summons to Former Defense Advisor Ameen Faisal.

17:00 – Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef has confirmed that a chit was sent to Ameen Faisal. According to Haneef, Faisal has been asked to present himself to the police headquarters at 9pm tommorow (August 31).

Haneef did specify on what grounds Faisal was being summoned.

17:04 – “People are losing their tempers and leaving the Dharubaaruge conference centre in droves,” reports Minivan News’  Daniel Bosley.

“If we are just going to talk, we should go home,” a male participant at the national congress is observed shouting.

17:14 – The Maldives Police Service website has claimed two suspects had been taken into custody at 16:30 this afternoon after reportedly being found attempting to set fire to a waste disposal site (Kunigondu).  Items have been seized from the suspects.  There was no confirmation if their alleged actions were politically motivated.

17:19 – The MDP national congress had ended without resolution.  Former Environment Minister Mohamed Aslam asked attendees inside shortly before the meeting’s end if they would prefer to go out into streets or continue the meeting, Minivan News observed.

17:24 – Former President Mohamed Nasheed has not been observed at the congress today. MDP MP and Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor has said ahead of a proposed march later today: “Nasheed is always seen as a cult leader.   This is a good opportunity to test the party’s strength without just following him.”

17:29 – Minivan News has observed between 200 to 300 MDP supporters setting out to reach Chaandhanee Magu junction.  However their progress has been blocked by a truck carrying police officers.  The supporters are now believed to be heading towards the parliament.

17:35 – Local newspaper Haveeru has reported that group of MDP protesters have been split into different groups after being blocked by police.

17:42 – Local media has said that protesters have now reached the Chaandhanee Magu junction.

17:59 – Local media has reported Police and MNDF officers are now chasing protesters at Chandhanee Magu. According to Haveeru, eight people have been arrested – six male, two female.

18:09 – Sun Online has reported police have confirmed the arrest of 10 people during ongoing protests. The demonstrators are said to have been charged for obstructing police in their duties.

18:24 – Speaking to Minivan News today, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali , Leader of the government-aligned Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has said he believes talks scheduled to take place at the Bandos Island Resort and Spa this evening are still happening.

“To the best of my knowledge the talks are still taking place. I plan to take part myself,” he said.

Following the findings of the CNI report this morning, Thasmeen contended that the focus of the talks, which had previously outlined an agenda including discussions on potentially scheduling early elections for this year “should now change”.

“There had previously been serious contention over the transfer of power. At this point we had been willing to discuss early elections. I think these questions have now been answered [with the CNI report]. It is now time for national reconciliation,” he said.

Thasmeen added that he believed the talks would no longer focus on agreeing a date for early elections, which President Waheed has previously said under the constitution can be scheduled for July 2013.

“I think it should be possible to move on and try finding common platforms for agreement,” he said.

Thasmeen pointed to issues of alleged politicisation within the police as a concern that could be discussed.

“During the previous government I had made allegations about [former President] Nasheed’s attempts to use the police force as a political tool,” he said. “If Nasheed is also making similar accusations now, then we can look at this issue before the next elections.”

18:33 – MDP Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor has said that party Chairperson Reeko Moosa is expected to be in attendance at the talks scheduled for Bandos Island Resort and Spa.

“He won’t have much to say as the MDP has decided to not accept the report released by CoNI,” Ghafoor contended.

The President’s Office had specifically invited the MDP chair, the party has claimed.

Ghafoor also questioned whether “constructive discussion” will be possible during the talks.

18:59 – The Maldives Police Service website has said that a group of people accused of creating unrest at today’s protests have been arrested in an raid at the Usfasgandu area.

19:08 – Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef, when asked for clarification on the activities of protesters charged with obstructing police duty today, has referred Minivan News to the live updates section of the Maldives Police Service website (English) (Dhivehi).

“It will be quite clear from there,” Haneef responded.

20:04 – According to official police figures, 50 people have been arrested this afternoon.  All were arrested on the charge of obstructing officers in performing their duty.  Of those arrested, seven are said to be females, with one suspect identified as a minor.

Police have also confirmed that a man was stabbed in Addu City at 17:00 this evening.  He is currently being treated at Hithadhoo Regional Hospital – no political motivation was mentioned by authorities.

Suspected MDP protesters have also been accused of vandalising the attorney general’s car and removing the flag attached to the vehicle at 18:55 this evening, police have said.

20:15 – Minister of State for Home Affairs Mohamed Fayaz has told Minivan News that fears of potential unrest occurring in the country’s prisons following the release of the CNI report has not been realised.

Fayaz, who also serves as Head of the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Service (DPRS), alleged in local media earlier this week that communications between political figures and inmates had been facilitated through mobile phones smuggled into prisons to try and create unrest.

“Military fire capacity and police backup will be available on that day,” he was quoted as telling Sun Online at the time in the case of any incidents.

20:47 – Organisations including the Commonwealth, US, India, UN call for the CNI’s report outcome to be respected in light of its publication today, Minivan News has reported.

21:15 – The European Union has announced it has taken note of the release of the CNI report and the events surrounding the controversial transfer of power on February 7.

“[The EU] recalls that all political groupings had previously undertaken to respect the CNI’s findings, although the report would certainly have been controversial whatever the outcome,” said Michael Mann, Chief Spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

“It is now more than ever essential that genuine efforts be made by all political actors to work together in the interests of the country to ensure that the democratic system is upheld; to allow the normal business of government to continue; and to prepare for free and fair elections, which should be held as soon as possible.”

22:00 – Haveeru has reported that the government has called for the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to remove the Maldives from it agenda.

The Maldives was placed on CMAG’s agenda back in February after the Commonwealth called called for a “formal” independent and impartial investigation, with the involvement of international partners, to ascertain the details behind the controversial transfer of power earlier in the month.

The decision meant the Maldives would no longer be able to participate in CMAG while it remained on the Commonwealth’s watch list.

However, with the publication of the CNI’s report today, State Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon told local media that the government now called to be removed from the CMAG agenda immediately as a result of the findings.

“We believe that it was set on the agenda in an inappropriate manner. Several accusations and lies were directed towards the Maldives. The Maldives was included in the CMAG’s agenda through the influence of personal connections of certain individuals,” she was quoted as saying in Haveeru.

The report quoted Dunyaas saying that the CNI’s findings had backed the government’s claims that it had been brought to power under constitutional means.

“So now we know that this is a constitutional government. We don’t have to face any more accusations. It has all been cleared,” she said.

22:15 – Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef has said police are advising people not to walk the streets in groups of more than three people.

Haneef added that groups larger than three would face being stopped and questioned by officers as part of an ongoing special operation police have said was introduced to reduce the chances of violent unrest in the country around the CNI report release.

“We have continued to advise people not to go out and commit unlawful acts,” he said.

00:39 – Police claim 13 people have been taken into custody for creating unrest. A minor is said to be among the suspects.

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President Waheed meets coalition members ahead of CNI report release

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan has this afternoon meet with representatives of the parties making up his national unity government to discus how to address the findings of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI)

According to a press release on the President’s Office website, the meeting saw discussions on agreeing a way forward upon the release of the report compiled by the CNI. The report, which was scheduled to be released today, has been delayed for at least an additional 24 hours.

The President’s Office stated that a consensus was reached at the meeting whereby all the coalition partners pledged to back Dr Waheed’s views concerning the investigation and its findings.  No further details were provided on the discussions in the statement.

President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza was not responding to calls at the time of press.

Local media quoted government-aligned Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla, as saying that the coalition parties had assured President Waheed that they would not allow any persons to create unrest in the Maldives upon the report’s release. He also said that all the coalition parties were ready to help security forces in their work to maintain peace and order.

Chief Spokesperson of Jumhooree Party, Moosa Rameez, speaking to Minivan News today said: “Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is the president of a coalition government and all the coalition parties have decided to work together with whatever decision he makes regarding the CNI results.”

Rameez said that the coalition parties also agreed not to hold any protests or demonstrations following the CNI report, no matter its final outcome.  He added that although government-aligned parties in the coalition had pledged to follow the president’s views on the matter, they had not yet received any additional information about it.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has alleged that President Waheed’s government came to power on February 7 in a “coup e’etat”.  These claims form the central focus of the CNI’s investigation into the exact details surrounding the controversial transfer of power.

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HDFC to provide housing loans to police officers

The Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) has decided to introduce a loan scheme for allowing Maldives Police Service (MPS) officers to build their own homes, according to local media reports.

Haveeru today reported that the Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz had used his official twitter stream to announce that the scheme would allow all police officers to get a home loan.

Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef has said that the loan will be released to officers to build houses which are registered in their own names. He went on to say that the Police Commissioner was undertaking a lot of efforts for the development of the police force.

HDFC states that it has been providing housing loans to all government employees, but that the scheme has only recently been introduced to the police. Haveeru quoted a HDFC official as saying that they have previously received numerous requests from police officers for the loan, and that it has now been facilitated since the corporation has come to an agreement with the MPS.

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Different strokes: Maldives power transfer expressed through art

Two exhibitions currently taking place in the capital are offering their own unique takes on the controversial transfer of power in February- interpretations that are being expressed through a variety of mediums during the next few days.

Closely following the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP’s) announcement of their intention to hold the Exhibition of Public Inquiry (XOPI), the government-aligned religious-conservative Adhaalath Party held a press conference announcing their own art festival, Fall of a regime: An Artist’s View. Both exhibitions yesterday opened to the public and will run until tomorrow.

XOPI, organized by the MDP, is taking place in the grounds of Male’ City Council.  With the theme “Truth Is Ours”, XOPI features the work of many artists, who adopt a number of approaches to express their thoughts of the events surrounding the change in power.

XOPI was officially opened by President Nasheed on Monday (August 27). The event also doubled as the launching for a book titled “Naakaamiyaabuvi Himeyn Baghawaiy: Gaiy Birun Negee Badi”, meaning ‘The Failed Silent Coup: Fear Raised The Gun’.  The book’s author is the former president’s appointee to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Aishath Velezinee.

Representing the organizing committee of XOPI, Ali Saeed said to Minivan News “XOPI is like a public inquiry, a presentation of the people’s perception of the events of, and following, February 6. Since then, there has been a lot of artistic material being shared on social media. XOPI intends to provide a platform for these to be presented in the same place.”

One participant whose work forms part of XOPI explained that they were taking part in the exhibition to express feelings and concerns surrounding February 7.

“I am participating because this is another venue to express my thoughts and feelings about the coup, freedom, liberty and justice. At a time when our freedoms to assemble and express are getting limited, this space suddenly becomes very important to me,” said Fazail Lutfi, founding member of Emmenge.com, a website which creates stories about political and social issues.

Another artist, Maryam Omer, has produced an exhibit that introduces guests to the exhibition.

As the visitor opens the lone door placed in the middle of the pathway, they are met with the sight of a charging bull. Part of the description reads “Grasping to comprehend the reality of the situation and describe something so phantom and menacing in my head was the image of a charging bull at the door,” the artist explains. “What matters is the individual’s perception of a universal event. It’s important to express how we feel about the events that occurred back in February.”

Meanwhile,the Adhaalath Party organized exhibition at the National Art Gallery was officially opened by President Waheed at a ceremony held Monday afternoon. The exhibition features the work of one artist known simply as ‘Siru’. Siru’s work captures events from the controversial hanging of banners for last year’s SAARC summit and proceeds as a story, ending with a painting of Dr Waheed taking the presidential oath in February this year.

An Adhaalath Party representative at the gallery, Hussain Wafeer, told Minivan News yesterday that the 60 pieces exhibited were all painted by Siru in a span of no more than a month. The artist himself said he did not wish to speak with any media.

In response to widespread speculations about the religious-based party depicting people in drawings, and whether it conflicts with the party’s ideology, the Adhaalath Party has released a statement saying it is not prohibited in Islam to draw figures as long as the facial features are not detailed.

President of Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Imran Abdulla and Vice President Dr. Mauroof Hussein were not responding to calls at the time of press.

Both Exhibition of Public Inquiry and Fall of A Regime: An Artist’s View will be open to the public until August 30.

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