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30th MARCH 2006
Demonstration for women’s rights in the Maldives
The Protest was led by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member of Parliament Mariya Ahmed Didi on the 30th of March 2006 in the Maldivian capital Male’. The protest continued despite being banned by the Government of Maldives.
The demonstration today called for greater respect for women by the police and the  authorities following the arrests of young female members of the opposition. MDP activist Fathimath Shiuna was arrested on 18 February 2006 by 12 male plain-clothed police officers, who burst into her house in the middle of the night. She was not allowed time to change out of her night clothes before being taken away by the police.
According to the Maldivian human rights activists, the threat of rape and sexual assault is used by the state to intimidate young women and dissuade them into taking part in opposition political activities.
However, while women were preparing the demonstration Wednesday night, groups of youths with alleged links to the government threw oil and urine at them. The organisers viewed this as intimidation by the state.
Reports state that approximately 8 people have been arrested, of which 4 are believed to be women. The protest comes 2 days after president Gayoom announced his road map for reform, which includes the right of freedom of assembly.
 
. FOM urges the Government of Maldives to: -
- Release the opposition activists arrested in regard to the demonstration
- Release all Political Prisoners of Conscience immediately.
- Desist from its continuous harassment of journalists and human rights activists in the Maldives and Sri Lanka
Friends of Maldives
UK spokesperson: Sarah Mahir +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 – 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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