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10th August 2006

Friends of Maldives (FOM) adds Mr Hussein Afeef (Champa)’s resorts to the Selected Resorts Boycott list

The Resorts belonging to Mr Hussein "Champa" Afeef – Economic Advisor to President Gayoom, chairman of the Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), Former Presidential appointee to the Special Majlis, has been added to the list of Resorts on the FOM Selected Resort Boycott List.

When the FOM Selected Resorts Boycott Campaign began – Mr Afeef resigned his post as Presidential Appointee of the Majlis, at the same time FOM were approached by a close associate of Mr Afeef who assured FOM that he (Afeef) was fully supportive of the Pro-Democracy movement in the Maldives and would the resorts be taken off the list.   In the light of his resignation as Presidential Appointee in the Majlis FOM made a decision to remove his resorts from the FOM Selected Resorts Boycott List.

However the decision to remove Mr Afeef’s resorts from the list was premature.  Mr Champa Afeef role in the supportive network of President Gayoom regime is on the increase.   He has since become chairperson of the Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), a public company formed to boost a more equal distribution of the wealth generated by tourism. His position is highly controversial as he is already one of the wealthiest resort owners in the Maldives. Moreover he was appointed by the President and not elected by members. He has also been appointed Economic Advisor to President Gayoom.   

The Universal Group headed by top Maldivian Businessmen Mr Ali Manik (Koli) another Economic Advisor to President Gayoom is under consideration for inclusion in the FOM Boycott list.  FOM welcomes further information and dialogue from stakeholders and interested parties in respect of the Universal Group and Mr Ali Manik.

Mr Hussein Afeef (Champa) Resorts: Meerufenfushi, Gasfinolhu, Kuredhu

Full list of Resorts to boycott: http://www.friendsofmaldives.org/fom-resortlist.htm

Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.friendsofmaldives.org/fom-faq.htm

Channel 4 Documentary on the Maldives:

http://www.channel4.com/more4/news/news-opinion-feature.jsp?id=343

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.