Friends of Maldives (FOM) was set up in December 2003 as a Human Rights NGO aimed at increasing awareness of Human Rights abuses in the Maldives.

FOM condemns the repressive regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has ruled for the last 28 years. The Maldivian people have no freedom of expression or association and live in fear of the States’ policies of intimidation, manifested through arbitrary arrest, indefinite detention and torture.

FOM works closely with leading NGOs, the media, Government bodies and International Institutions to ensure regular reports are circulated concerning the Maldivian Governments human rights abuses.

Objectives

• Foster human rights and freedom of expression so as to encourage good governance in the Maldives.
• To encourage a responsible and ethical approach to tourism in the Maldives
• Develop cultural links with the Maldives
• To work with internaional Human Rights NGOs and promote Maldives Human Rights to internaional and governmental organisations.
• Lobbying of Government bodies and representatives such as MP’s, MEP’s and the FCO to increase pressure on the Maldivian regime to install democracy in the Maldives.
• Campaigning with other NGOs for Human Rights and Ethical Tourism.
• To assist the pro-democracy movement in the Maldives.