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18th MAY 2006

Continued Arbitrary Arrests and Daily Demonstrations in Male’

On the 3rd of May 2006, a peaceful gathering organised to celebrate Press Freedom Day was interrupted by the riot police. Members of the International Press Freedom Delegation visiting the Maldives on a fact finding mission were manhandled by the police and their translator Nazim Sattar, sub-editor of Minivan Daily was arrested.

On the 14th of May 2006, a demonstration took place to remove the unelected members of Parliament appointed by the President. Minivan Radio presenter, Fathimath Shaheeda was arrested despite wearing a t-shirt that clearly mentioned the word PRESS.  

On the 17th of May 2006, a popular democracy MDP activist, Mohamed Ziyad (alias Ziattey) has been arrested on the allegation of damaging Mercury Light Café’. (a Maldivian Democratic Party gathering point.). The café was actually damaged by pro-government thugs.

Gayooms first milestone on ‘Roadmap to Democracy’-  Fails:

 The Media Bill currently debated in parliament has failed to meet international standards according to the International Press Freedom Delegation.  The Press Freedom watchdog Article 19’s legal experts state “while the Bill contains some positive safeguards for freedom of expression, these are outweighed by numerous broad and vaguely worded restrictions that may be abused to control the media.”

Amnesty International are Concerned by campaign against Minivan Journalists:

 Amnesty International has condemned the government’s ongoing campaign against Minivan journalists.  ‘The authorities are now preparing to detain Aminath Najeeb the editor of Minivan Daily, which would put her at risk of severe ill-treatment. If she is detained for two weeks or more, she will not be legally able to continue as the editor of a national newspaper: the government appears to be attempting to silence one of the few newspapers in the country that dares to criticize it’

FOM calls on the Government of Maldives to:

• Take into account the recommendations from the International Freedom of Expression Delegation for the drafting of the new media bill.
• Refrain from using excessive police force on peaceful protestors
• End arbitrary arrest
• Control the pro-government thugs trying to incite violence on the streets
• Refrain attacking journalists from the Minivan (Independent) Newspaper and Minivan Radio

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Friends of Maldives

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