23 FEBRUARY 2006
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Release of Prisoners of Conscience followed by more arbitrary arrests in the Maldives
Friends of Maldives (FOM) welcomes the release of the Amnesty International Prisoners of Conscience Ahmed Didi and Naushad Waheed. Nevertheless, FOM condemns the latest attempt by the Maldives Authorities to intimidate the opposition with the arrests of young women, peaceful protestors and journalists. 
23 year old Fathimath Shiuna, who works in the office of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and MDP activist Areesha Ali were detained for taking part in a peaceful
demonstration. The two young women were arrested, on the 19th of February 2006, in the middle of the night by a group of male officers and were refused permission to change from their night clothes. The women were subjected to humiliating and indecent behaviour by the police.
Today, nine peaceful protestors, including Ali Fahd, a photographer for the independent magazine Adduvas, were arrested outside the parliament while President Gayoom was addressing the Special Majlis about his roadmap to reforms. In his speech, President Gayoom praised the recent introduction of a multi-party system, the establishment of press freedom, the establishment of Judicial Council, and the submission of bills to the Majlis including bills on political parties, the army, the police and a draft penal code.
Despite all the promises, arbitrary detention and fabrication of charges are being used against independent journalists and members of the opposition. Abdulla Saeed (Fahala), a journalist for the independent newspaper Minivan Daily is currently on trial for fabricated drug charges.
Minivan Daily Photographer, Jennifer Latheef and MDP chairman, Mohamed Nasheed still remain in detention.
Background Information:
Ahmed Didi was sentenced for life imprisonment for “offences against the State and criminal defamation”, following his work as a journalist for Sandhaanu, a newsletter in Dhivehi criticizing the Government of Maldives.
Naushad Waheed was charged and convicted for “offences against the State”, following his correspondence with Amnesty International and for taking part in debates criticizing the current regime. Both prisoners were pardoned yesterday afternoon by the president.
"This case highlights the urgent need for reform of the criminal justice system to safeguard against the prevalent use in the Maldives of arbitrary arrest and unfair trials," said Abbas Faiz, Amnesty International South Asia Researcher.
"The human rights situation is not significantly better” Abbas Faiz told the BBC.
"The release of our colleague Ahmed Didi is welcome but long overdue," Committee to Protect Journalists, Executive Director Ann Cooper said. "Didi, like other independent voices in the Maldives, has suffered greatly for the right to transmit news and opinion, which is still not fully realized in the country."
FOM urges the Government of Maldives to: -
- Release all Political Prisoners of Conscience immediately.
- Desist from its continuous harassment of journalists and human rights activists in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
FOM calls on the International Community to:
- Place an immediate travel ban on members of the Government and other officials of the Maldives from travelling abroad into concerned countries
- Determine where Maldivian government funds are banked overseas and to seize those funds and assets
- Cease the supply of arms and other weaponry used by the security forces against the pro-democracy opposition
- Issue travel advisories giving thorough warnings to all tourists planning to go the Maldives of the appalling human rights record of this country
- Commence investigations against individuals in the government who are accused of murder, torture and other human rights abuses by the opposition groups with a view to bringing these individuals to trial.
- Immediately cease all aid to the Maldivian government. Ensure aid that has been given to the government is spent with full transparency and accountability. Aid should be given to non-governmental Aid organisations working in the Maldives
MEDIA CONTACTS:
UK spokesperson: Sarah Mahir
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.
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