Why are they still in detention? :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

Opinion

Why are they still in custody?

Mariyam Mohamed, 17 October 2005

If Gayyoom is seriously committed to democratic reform and the establishment of a genuine multiparty system in the Maldives, the very first thing he should do is release political prisoners in the Maldives.

Naushad Waheed (Naube'), a pro-democracy and human rights activist is serving a 15 year sentence allegedly because he wrote to Amnesty International for assistance with regard to the human rights situation in Maldives. Naushad Waheed is one of the best artists in the country and had major contract with tourist resorts and other local businesses when he was arrested and sentenced back in 2001. He has since lost all these contracts and was unable to even attend the funeral of his mother as he was in detention at the time.

Sandhaanu Ibrahim Didi, was given a life sentence for participating in the publication of a pro-democracy e-newsletter called Sandhaanu. He is heart patient and still remains in custody despite the fact that his associates have since been released recently. Mr. Didi has also suffered great loss both mentally and economically due to his experiences as a dissident and because of the custodial sentence.

Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), the Chairperson of the largest political party in the country (MDP) being held in detention illegally since his arrest last August. He has since been charged with terrorism, sedition and crimes against the state. His trial is expected to begin in January but no one expects him to get a fair trial as until this day the defence team has not been informed of the exact charges and details for them to prepare the defence. The whole world believes that this is a politically motivated show trial since Mr. Nasheed is the biggest challenge to Gayyoom in his quest to secure the 27 year old dictatorship and pass on his reign to his family members.

Jennifer Latheef is serving a 10 year sentence for terrorism because she allegedly took part in the unrest in Maldives due to the death of several inmates in 2003. Jennifer was a council member of the MDP when she was sentenced in October. She has been a key figure in the democracy movement initiated by MDP which was in fact co-founded by her Father Mohamed Latheef who himself lives in exile in Sri Lanka.

Amnesty International and other NGO's like Reporters without boarders, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Asian Centre for Human Rights have all condemned Gayyoom and have called for their immediate release but the dictator remains defiant.

With so much international attention and criticism of Gayyoom's heavy handedness one would hope that Gayyoom will come to his senses and do the right thing, which is pave the way for meaningful change to take place in Maldives. Added to the international attention and criticism is the increase power of the voice of dissent within Maldives across the whole country.

Gayyoom is however turning a blind eye to all these and engaged in a smear campaign against major dissident and is adamant on sentencing the Chairperson of MDP, who is hailed to be the real Father of Democracy, a title that this Dictator so desires for himself only.

The country is now at a cross-road according to local experts. If Gayyoom fails to meet the demands of the international community and that of the local population who want real formidable change, things could get much worse and stability will be a thing of the past.

Maldivians are naturally peace loving and rarely resort to violence. However, without any regard for this Gayyoom is using all means possible to blame every incident of public disorder or violence on to his oppositions, especially MDP.

The business elite in Maldives, especially the owners of those resorts listed in the "Selective Resorts Boycott" campaign by Friends of Maldives (UK) are gravely concerned about the campaign because it will undoubtedly tarnish the image of their businesses. What they should try to understand is that businesses in Maldives can only flourish once this dictator Gayyoom is gone and with the emergence of a people's government based on social democratic principles, where human rights are protected and rule of law is upheld.

If Koli Mohodhey, Burumaa Gasim and Champa Afeef gets their act together and work to oust Gayyoom, it can be done in no time. It is their unwillingness to add their weight to the reform movement that is delaying the whole project. Their backing of an aging dictator who has lost support both locally and internationally is why the country is expected to suffer both socially and economically.

A piece of advice to all those backing this Dictator. No dictator or tyrant has ever given up power voluntarily but they must be forced to step down by strength of popular dissent. It's only a matter of time because the vast majority of the people want him ousted.