MDP chairman, Mohamed Nasheed waiting to be tried
Mohamed Nasheed, the chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party is to go on trial shortly under terrorism charges. The date was set on September the 14th and was advanced to the 8th. The prosecutor has now announced that more time is needed for the preparation and therefore no date has been assigned yet.
Under the present legal constitution, Mohamed Nasheed will face an unfair trial. However, an independent observer appointed by the International Commission of Jurist will attend the trial.
The first hearing took place Sunday the 28th of August in the presence of the trial observer from the ICJ. Yet the MDP chairman and his lawyer were given only a few hours notice prior to the nearing and consequently were unable to prepare the defence.
Please find below the ICJ press release:
“The International Commission of Jurists today announced it will observe the
trial of Mohamed Nasheed, Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party,
who is charged with offences against the state and terrorism.
The ICJ’s trial observer, Faisz Musthapha, former Sri Lankan High
Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former Chairman of the Sri Lankan
National Human Rights Commission, will be monitoring the trial for
compliance with international fair trial standards.
“It is essential that international fair trial standards are followed,” said
Nicholas Howen, ICJ Secretary-General. “At this initial stage it is
important that the accused and his lawyer have adequate time to prepare the
defence”.
Mohamed Nasheed, who was granted asylum in the United Kingdom, recently
returned to the Maldives as the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic
Party (MDP).
For further information please contact Susan Appleyard, +4122 979 3800”
More intimidation of the opposition:
According to David Hardingham, FOM spokesperson: “the trial is another attempt from the Maldivian Government to destroy all sort of opposition. Whether it is the MDP chairperson or a journalist, the regime is trying to reinstall the fear within the Maldivian people in order to prevent criticism.”
Intimidation and arbitrary arrest is still common practice despite the pressure from the International Community. Another example is the events that occurred Sunday the 4th of September. That night, the MDP held its first meeting in a school in the island capital of Male’, where approximately 8000 supporters are believed to have attended. A chair in the middle of the stage was left empty in memory of the MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed, currently in detention. The meeting was disrupted when police entered the premises and seized two of the speakers in the hall. They arrested Imran Zahir (Bakuree) who was taking pictures of the rally. The photographer is currently in Dhonidhoo detention centre.
Friends of Maldives condemns the efforts of the Gayoom regime to prevent the opposition from expressing themselves or gathering freely. This constitutes the denial of fundamental rights. Such behaviour does not comply with the democratic reforms promised by the regime, shortly after political parties are allowed.
FOM urges the Government of Maldives to: -
- Release Nasheed and all political prisoners of conscience and open discussions and dialogue with the MDP
- 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.
- Any party should be allowed to campaign freely, and journalists to report news without further harassment from the Maldivian Authorities.
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).
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
|
