:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Flouting international law, the Maldivian Government justifies torture

Maldivian Democratic Party, 23.09.04, Colombo - www.maldiviandemocraticparty.org

The Maldivian Home Ministry admitted for the first time on Tuesday (21^st Sept) that the National Security Services (NSS) in the Maldives used "handcuffing" and "blindfolding" during arrests made after the 12/13^th August pro-democracy protest. The Home Ministry, speaking on state-run TV in the Maldives, also admitted that some detainees have suffered "minor injuries".

However, according to the press statement issued on the 20^th September by the Maldives Human Rights Commission, the NSS inflicted a lot more than minor injuries on the detainees. It stated that: "unusually harsh force and treatment were meted out to a member of the People’s Special Majlis and others whilst being arrested." It goes on to report: "those who suffered painful treatment were stating that they were beaten and that agonising treatments were inflicted upon them." Furthermore: "[detainees were] addressed and scolded using very dirty and ugly language…some men and women state they were inflicted painful treatment on their sexual organs."

The Human Rights Commission, which was established by Presidential Decree, said that it: "views these matters as inhuman". The Commission stated that they had reported their concern to the authorities and have recommended an independent investigation to be made over the manners of arresting and incarceration. It also called for the State of Emergency to be lifted as soon as possible. "The condition of the Maldives being under the law of State of Emergency is a matter of extreme concern for the Maldives Human Rights Commission" the statement read.

The report of the Maldives Human Rights Commission has been substantiated by Amnesty International. In an appeal dated the 20^th September, Amnesty stated that: "One detainee was reportedly thrown down the stairs while being arrested at his home. Another detainee was reportedly chased by police to a harbour where he was beaten so severely that he fell into the sea. A witness reports that while the detainee was in the water, the police continued to throw projectiles at him. When they eventually brought him out of the water, police continued to beat him as they took him away."

The further attempt by the Home Ministry to blame the brutality of the NSS on detainees resisting arrest or in "interests of national security" is an appalling admission of guilt by the Maldivian government. Whilst handcuffing is usual practice in many countries, can you really claim that throwing detainees into the sea and pelting them with rocks is required to help the NSS with their arrests? Is sexual abuse whilst cuffed and blindfolded in a cell necessary in the "interests of national security"?

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is disgusted by the reports of beatings and torture by the Maldivian authorities. It is also alarmed by the government's "ends justify the means" explanation. The MDP calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners and repeal of the State of Emergency. It also backs the recommendation of the Maldivian Human Rights Commission for an immediate and independent inquiry into the arrests of the 14^th August.

Meanwhile in the Presidential Palace, Gayoom responded to reports of handcuffing, blindfolding and torture in his usual fashion. Speaking on BBC World, "It's simply not true" he said.