FOM protests at President Gayoom’s arrival in London
Friends of Maldives held a peaceful protest today the 19th of September 2005, outside the Maldivian High Commission in London. The president of Maldives arrived from New York and as he entered the High Commission with his wife Nasreena, FOM protestors asked the president questions and called for the release of Political prisoners and Mohamed Nasheed, chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party.
The President, and his entourage, refused to answer any questions while his security personnel forcibly stopped protestors from going closer to the President.
The FOM protestors were amazed at the extravagant number of limousines used by the President and his entourage at a time of economic collapse in the Maldives. According to FOM spokesman David Hardingham “It’s a disgraceful misuse of public funds – and Tsunami victims living in tents 9 months after the Tsunami will be outraged by this.”
FOM human rights activist Mike Carnac stated “I really wanted to ask the president why he lied to the Maldivian people following his meeting with Louise Arbour, the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner”. (The office of the Human Rights Commissioner was obliged to clarify what was said in the meeting, after the government released their misleading statement. http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=1214 )
FOM attempted to provide the President with a letter detailing reasons for the protest, this letter was rejected (see below):
His Excellency Maummon Abdul Gayoom
President of the Republic of Maldives
High Commission of the Maldives
66 Nottingham Place
London
W1U 5NJ
19th September 2005
Mr President,
Friends of Maldives is holding a demonstration today outside the Maldivian High Commission in support of the Maldivian political prisoners that are currently under arrest for exercising their citizens right of protest and demonstration. Mohamed Nasheed, your principal pro-democracy opponent is about to face terrorism charges, and Jennifer Latheef, a well-known human rights activist has been unfairly charged with similar offences.
Friends of Maldives condemns your regime that has oppressed the Maldivian people for more than 27 years, through arbitrary arrests, intimidation and torture. Maldives is a member of the United Nations, and therefore should act in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Your government is breeching these articles in particularly in relation to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
We urge you not to use political prisoners as bargaining chips used to cynically achieve support in the international community for your “democratic reforms”. Your detention and release of prisoners at your whim is a clear indication of your outright control of the Justice system and its obvious failures.
The International community has condemned your regime and your obvious desire to stay in a position of power at all costs. It is now obvious to the international community that your so called reforms are nothing more than a sham to extend the life of your dictatorship in the Maldives.
"We are very concerned about his detention (Mohamed Nasheed)," said Amnesty International in London. "The action that the government has taken appears to be discriminatory and politically motivated."
"The entire trial process is a farce intended to intimidate the Maldivian Democratic Party," said Suhas Chakma, Director of the Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights, a coalition of NGOs from South and Southeast Asia. "If they are saying it is an act of terrorism, the first question is whether the definition of terrorism meets international standards," he added
“The arrests, which took place on 12th August 2005 and other recent arrests are particularly concerning as they appear to be aimed at intimidating and weakening the opposition party and their supporters.” CHRI
FOM urges the Government of Maldives to: -
- Release Mohamed Nasheed and all political prisoners of conscience.
- In the event that he is not released:
- An Independent judge must be appointed
- There must be an open trial where Mohamed Nasheed will be able to be heard.
- Any party should be allowed to campaign freely, and journalists to report news without further harassment from the Maldivian Authorities.
Yours Sincerely,
David Hardingham
Chairman of Friends of Maldives
Trustee of British Charity - Maldives Aid
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