Last Friday, 12th August, Mohamed Nasheed, Chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), began a peaceful vigil in the central square of the capital Male’ in remembrance of the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators a year before, known locally as Black Friday. He was dragged away by dozens of heavily armed riot police. Demonstrations calling for his release and the resignation of President Gayoom followed.

Friends of Maldives has been closely monitoring the rapidly escalating civil unrest that has gripped the Maldives.

According to David Hardingham, UK FOM spokesperson: “The response by the regime has been swift and brutal; four days of civil unrest have been plagued by excessive force and brutal beatings of the 200 pro-democracy activists who have been detained including other leading members of the MDP. The Government has also resorted to using water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protestors.

Arbitrary arrests are continuing. To date 138 people have been arrested. The National Security Service (NSS – the Maldivian police force) are raiding homes in groups of 10-15 officers at night wearing masks and riot equipment. The charges for which suspects are detained is not made clear and the families are given very little information. Increasing reports of attacks against MDP members and their property by roaming pro-regime mobs have been confirmed.

Hardingham continues: “The Government’s justifications for their brutal tactics are based on false accusations of weapon harbouring and violent intent of MDP members. These accusations are being made on government controlled national media against the MDP. Our spokesperson in Male’, Sarah Mahir has been able to provide a comprehensive analysis of recent events.

Reports state MDP Chairman Mohamed Nasheed is currently on a hunger strike. He demands the immediate release of all those detained in the aftermath of his arrest and other prisoners of conscience, according to his associates. Some reports claim that other detainees have now joined him on this hunger strike.

The Regime is showing a lack of real intent to continue with real democratic reforms. The recent events are the clearest indication yet that the regime’s proposals are no more than cosmetic reforms aimed at blocking any real development of Maldivians basic human rights and the democratic process in the Maldives.

FOM is urging the international community to put pressure on the Gayoom regime to:

• Release Mohamed Nasheed immediately
• Clarify the charges against individuals arrested since the 12 August in relation to the peaceful democracy protest
• Ensure that all individuals arrested are given legal representation
• Ensure that the prisoners are not maltreated
• We urge the Government of Maldives to enter into dialogue with the MDP to increase stability in the Maldives.
• We urge the government of Maldives to stop harassing and intimidating pro-reform MPs’ and allow the MDP to express their position openly free from fear
• We urge the government to release long term prisoners of conscience --- Ahmed Didi, Naushad Waheed and Sheikh Fareed
• We urge the government of Maldives to allow parliamentary Elections, within an agreed time frame, at the soonest opportunity
• We urge the government of Maldives to control the pro-government mobs who are trying to escalate the tension and increasing risk of violent conflict on the streets.

According to a recent statement by Amnesty International: “Detailed and consistent testimonies gathered by an Amnesty International delegation visiting the Maldives in October 2004 showed detainees had been held blindfolded and handcuffed for up to 19 hours, made to sit still on a chair or in one spot for several hours at a time during this period, and subjected to physical assault, food deprivation, and in some cases, to sexual violence. No one has been brought to justice for these abuses.”

PHOTO CAPTION:
Chairman of the MDP, Mohamed Nasheed (in white shirt) and MDP Councillor, Ahmed Abbas (yellow shirt) protesting peacefully in Republic Square moments before being arrested.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Friends of Maldives
UK spokesperson: David Hardingham +44 (0)7812 166453
Maldives spokesperson: Sarah Mahir +960 7771313

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 Salisbury, England and established in 2003. FOM focuses its activities on providing support and publicity to prisoners of conscience and good governance in the Maldives.

Summary of recent events in Maldives

Friday 12.08.05

• MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed begins silent peaceful protest in commemoration of the anniversary of the Maldivian Government’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy supporters (‘Black Friday’).
• Riot Police forcibly removed Nasheed along with other leading MDP members and they are transported offshore to Dhoonidoo detention centre. Injuries were sustained by Mohamed Nasheed and Latheefa Umar.
• Massive crowds gather in protest of the Government’s actions, thousands of MDP supporters in the MDP tent (Haruge) call for the release of Mohamed Nasheed.

Saturday 13.08.2005

• At 0430 the Riot police storm the Haruge tent remove and arrest peaceful demonstrators using excessive and unnecessary force. Mass beatings and arrests are made; eye witness reports of the assault of women and children by police.
• Crowds grow throughout the day demanding release of prisoners; Government responds by making further arrests of MDP members and claims to have evidence of weapons held by MDP.
• Weapons reported by Government revealed as harmless construction material; violence led by Government forces. Police tactics become more vicious; baton charges, tear gas and rubber bullets used against crowds of supporters.
• Curfew announced but ignored by the thousands of protesters throughout the Maldivian islands.

Sunday 14.08.2005

• Peaceful crowds refuse to disperse until MDP members released. Severe beatings of civilians now a common occurrence. Confirmed reports of assault of pregnant woman by the police now left in emergency care in hospital.
• MDP aligned Parliamentarians attacked by pro-Government mobs with police refusing to intervene. Use of petrol bombs against pro-democracy supporters confirmed. No evidence provided so far of Government accusations of violence against MDP.

Monday 15.08.2005

• Tension continues to grow in Maldives. Threats against the printer of Minivan Newspaper the only Independent newspaper in the Maldives results in his refusal to print the newspaper. The editor is target of threats and intimidation but insists on printing her newspaper on a normal printer using A4 paper.

Tuesday 16.08.2005

• Government continue detention of pro-democracy supporters. Reports state Mohamed Nasheed to begin hunger strike demanding release of those detained in aftermath of his arrest.

Further information

Further information on the Maldives and reports of the current situation are available from the following sources:

Minivan News – www.minivannews.com
Maldivian Detainees – www.maldiviandetainees.net
Dhivehi Observer – www.dhivehiobserver.com
Amnesty International: www.amnesty.org
Asian Centre for Human Rights - www.achrweb.org
Article 19 - www.article19.org
English PEN - www.englishpen.org