|
| 21 SEPTEMBER, SALISBURY, UK |
Jennifer Latheef about to face terrorism charges as new intimidation of journalists’ case arises.
Friends of Maldives (FOM) condemns the continuous intimidation of the Pro-Democracy reformists by the Maldivian Government.
Jennifer Latheef, has been summoned to appear to court , Sunday the 25th of September at 10.45 AM Male’ time. She is being charged for Terrorism offences for her presence at the riots following the torture and murder of Evan Naseem in custody. Jennifer Latheef is accused of “having performed an act of terrorism” by throwing a stone at a policeman.
Jennifer, a well-known human rights activist in the Maldives denies the allegations. The charges against her are based on eyewitness statements all provided by policemen.
According to Mike Rivett-Carnac legal advisor to FOM “The obvious reason behind her trial is to intimidate her father, the Maldivian Democratic Party spokesperson Mohamed Latheef and the charges for which Jennifer has been accussed have been highly condemned by the international.”
Media Intimidation continues in the Maldives
FOM is concerned for the fate of the Minivan News Daily journalists. Since the newspaper was granted registration in the Maldives, the columnists and the editor in chief have been summoned to the police several times for their articles. The information Ministry has now sent six of the newspapers articles to the Attorney General for “prosecution”. Consequently, the editor in chief Aminath Najeeb and 5 other journalists and contributors are likely to face charges.
The intimidation of the journalists working for one of the only independent newspapers in the Maldives continues since earlier this month when the Printer was threatened and now refuses to print Minivan Daily News. The small team of journalists continues to print the newspaper on a normal A4 printer.
Such acts of intimidation come at a time when “sweeping democratic reforms” are to be implemented in the Maldives by President Gayoom. The regime is proving yet again, that the law is used for political repression and has no other purpose but to destroy the opposition pro-democracy movement.
FOM would like to emphasise that the Information Ministry has not sent the latest Presidential Press Release for “prosecution”. This Press Release misrepresented the meeting held between President Gayoom and Louise Arbour the High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York. The office of the Human Rights Commissioner was obliged to release a correction of the Presidential Press Release.
FOM urges the Government of Maldives to: -
- Release Mohamed Nasheed and all Political Prisoners of Conscience immediately.
- Drop all fabricated charges against Jennifer Latheef
- Desist from its continuous harassing of journalists and human rights activists in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
|
