Pressure is mounting on the Maldivian Government following their brutal suppression of pro-democracy campaigners in recent weeks.

Background

On 12th August, Mohamed Nasheed, Chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party, 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 and suffered leg injuries in the process. Demonstrations calling for his release and the resignation of President Gayoom followed. There followed civil unrest and protests calling for his release; over 100 pro democracy campaigners remain in detention.

The Government initially said Nasheed was being detained for his own safety. Government actions since his arrest clearly prove such justifications are lies. Nasheed remains in detention charged with terrorism offences while the Government pursues his immediate trial with no regard given to established legal procedures or respect for due process.

The International Commission for Jurists, an independent non-governmental organisation which monitors trials around the world, said it intended to send a team to observe the trial for compliance with international fair trial standards. The Government response was to attempt to rush the trial through only two days after Nasheed was informed of the charges against him.
Amidst reports that witness statements relied on by the regime are untrue, sources say the Government is becoming desperate to convict Nasheed. FOM urges all parties to closely monitor the unfolding scenario. Increasing international pressure involving the Commonwealth as intermediary is a glimmer of hope for the stalled democratic process in the Maldives.
Please find below a selection of statements made condemning recent events:

Recent Statements following the demonstrations in Maldives and the arrest of MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed

"We are very concerned about his detention," said Abbas Faiz, South Asia Researcher for Amnesty International in London. "The action that the government has taken appears to be discriminatory and politically motivated."

"That these charges come after the pledge of multiparty democracy ... speaks to the lack of commitment by President Gayoom to fundamental freedoms and human rights," the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission said in a statement. "The entire legal process, including the judiciary, is controlled by the government, so there is no possibility of a fair trial," it added.

"This intolerable state of affairs must be brought to an end. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) calls upon the government of the Maldives to unconditionally release those persons detained for voicing popular aspirations for democratic change, in particular, Mohammed Nasheed, and the charges against him must be dropped. The government must also allow for free and fair multiparty elections to be held.

"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 UN is committed to creating a universal culture of respect for human rights and is closely monitoring the situation in the Maldives. Allegations of human rights violations, including those which inhibit the right to freedom of opinion and expression; protest within the law and the right to freedom of association are viewed very seriously by the UN."

"Anni (Nasheed) is symbolic for the government and for the people. For the people, he has come to represent the democratic aspirations of the nation. For the government, he is symbolic because he represents the ultimate threat – here is someone who will not be bowed, who will keep going, who has the capacity to group people as an opposition. He is seen as the personification of all opposition to the government and very senior people in government now have personal animosity towards him. All these things combined make Anni the sacrificial lamb." Ibrahim Ismail MP for Male'

“It looks that Gayoom is intent on getting Nasheed convicted under terrorism act and he would succeed under the notorious criminal justice system in Maldives. By this, he would be eliminating one major threat to his position. This is an outrageous act that needs to be condemned. It is hoped that the European Union would take due note of the misuse of terrorism laws to silence opposition in Maldives.” South Asia Analysis Group.

FOM is pleased to announce the launch of our new website at www.friendsofmaldives.org

Information regarding the current unrest, photos and links to related sources and human rights reports are available.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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 -

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 encourage 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