Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed has been charged with Terrorism offences.

Background

On 12th August, Mohamed Nasheed 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. There followed civil unrest and protests calling for his release and over 100 pro democracy protestors remain in detention.

The government initially said he was being detained for his own safety.

According to David Hardingham, UK FOM spokesperson: “This is a grossly excessive and absurd charge and another desperate attempt by an autocratic dictatorship to quash any serious opposition whilst it portrays cosmetic reforms to the international community. The government of Maldives have been looking for an opportunity to frame Nasheed ever since he said he returned from exile.”

He continues “Mohamed Nasheeds increasing popularity since his return from exile four months ago has deeply upset the regime and they will do whatever they can to keep Nasheed out of the political process.”

Reports state the Government is planning to conduct Nasheed’s trial immediately thus refusing the chance to effectively defend himself. Time has not been given to prepare a defence or to call witnesses. Legal experts have said a trial held today would be “a sham”. “This evidently does not conform to the principals of natural justice… the judges are not independent of the executive” a senior lawyer told Minivan News.

“The International Commission of Jurists, who are the international body who monitor trials, sent a fax to the Maldivian government yesterday evening (23rd Aug) and informed them that they were sending international trial observers to Nasheed’s trial. It is simply unheard of for a government to snub the ICJ [and rush through a trial]" he further added.

FOM urges the Government of Maldives to: -

1. Release Nasheed and all political prisoners of conscience and open discussions and dialogue with the MDP
2. 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.
   • International observers should be present throughout the trial

FOM point out the absurdity of the head of a political party (Mohamed Nasheed- MDP) being prosecuted and judged by the head of the opposing political party (Maumoon Gayoom- DRP).

According to a recent statement by Asian Centre for Human Rights -

“First, the government of Maldives should be urged to immediately and unconditionally release the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Mohamed Nasheed and all other political activists arrested since 1 August 2005, and extend invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to immediately visit Maldives.

Second, international community must recognize that Maldives is not a basket case where reforms can be undertaken under the present constitutional set up. The Peoples Majlis lacks any credibility as the President continues to control the Majlis by default through nomination of a large number of members of the Majlis as provided under the 1998 Constitution of Maldives.

Therefore, the Secretary General of the United Nations or any other inter-governmental or non-governmental body should facilitate the national reconciliation in Maldives.

What Maldives requires and President Gayoom must facilitate is to start a dialogue with Maldivian Democratic Party for developing a road map for composite political reforms. The road map should, among others, include (1) temporary suspension of the present flawed constitution and Peoples Majlis given the selection of a large number of members by the President, (2) formation of a national unity government to facilitate multi-party parliamentary and Presidential elections under the supervision of international observers and (3) allow the newly elected Majlis to draft a new constitution. Otherwise, if the present repression of the political parties and unofficial ban on political activities continue, the call for resignation of President Gayoom and fresh Presidential election will not be out of place.

For President Gayoom, the choice is clear – either secure a legacy as a reformist or be condemned as a dictator in the dustbin of the history of Maldives.

However, for the sake of human rights and fundamental freedoms, international community must intervene against the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of the political opponents.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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.

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