19th of October 2006

Maldives Large Reform Protest Planned on the 10th of November 2006

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for a large scale rally in the capital Male' on the 10th of November to pressure the Maldives Parliament to complete the new constitution. People are due to travel by boat from all over the country from the 8 th to the 9th of November in order to participate at the rally where 15 000 to 20 000 people are expected.

The MDP is currently circulating a "Questions & Answers" in which they explain the urgent need for a new constitution: "There is no separation of powers or check on the power of the executive. The existing constitution has also allowed President Gayoom to ensure that his name has been the only one on the ballot paper for the past 28 years."

The MDP state: "President Gayoom delays proceedings through the control he exerts on his appointees to the Special Majlis. While 71 of the members are elected by different atolls in the country, the remaining 29 are all appointed by the President."

The MDP justifies the need for a demonstration - "without public pressure the government will not keep to its promises. In June 2004, the President declared that work on the constitution would take less than a year. Many of the deadlines in the President's flagship 'Roadmap for the Democratic Reform Agenda' (launched in March 2006) have not been met."

The MDP has also alerted the tourism industry of the planned event. 

Friends of Maldives urges the Government of Maldives:

• To act with restrain and allow this demonstration to proceed peacefully

FOM calls on the International Community:

• To send neutral observers to the Maldives during the events leading up to and during the demonstration

Background Information:

MDP Informs Travel Industry of demonstration on the 10th of November

http://www.dhivehiobserver.com/MDP/pressreleases/MDP_Press_Release_1810200622.htm

MDP Establishes Camp in Male’:

http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=2535

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Friends of Maldives

64 Milford Street
Salisbury
SP1 2BP
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1722 504330
E: enquiries@friendsofmaldives.org
W: www.friendsofmaldives.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

Friends of Maldives – www.friendsofmaldives.org

Friends of Maldives (FOM) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in the Maldives. Based in the UK and established in 2003. FOM focuses its activities on providing support and publicity to prisoners of conscience and good governance in the Maldives.