Stop Human Rights Abuse and Torture in Maldives
The terror continues .....
arbitrary arrests and detention without charge....The Truth : Gayyoom is a tyrant
(Please be warned that these images are disturbing)
by A.S.I.Moosa, Editor in Chief, Dhivehi Observer, 30th August 2004Help the campaign by exposing the regime through your contacts, MPs and media connections? International pressure does make a difference!
19 September 2003
Eevan Naseem beaten to death by 12 policemen whilst serving a sentence in Maafushi Jail. Evan's mother has been detained several times because she complained about the murder. Similar incidents went unreported in Maldives. This was just too much for the majority of people and confirmed the fear people had.
20 September 2003
Riots broke out in Jail as cell mates were angered about the murder of Eevan Naseem. Today Police shot 19 inmates, 3 of whom died and others were severely injured. People of Male' also rioted and torched police stations. A state of emergency declared. Gayyoom was defiant and lied to the people.
17th October 2003
BBC World Service report by Adam Mynott exposed the darker side of Maldives. Proof that economic prosperity was at the expense of basic human rights. Gayyoom accused BBC of misleading the world. Maldivians condemned Gayyoom openly for the first time in this report because they had run out of patience.
10th November 2003
Maldivian Democratic Party launched in exile in Colombo. Party members began work in exile by lobbying across the world promoting the right to better life and democracy for Maldivians. Party publishes news letters. Secretariat Office opened in Colombo and London. MDP is now recognised worldwide.
9th June 2004
After mounting pressure from dissidents and foreign governments, Gayyoom announced a reform agenda, which was what the reformists have been asking, for the last 20 years. It is unthinkable that a nation would willingly support an autocratic ruler.
29th June 2004
Maldivians for the first time debated and discussed democracy and party politics openly. This was unprecedented and there were several acts of defiance such as calling for Gayyoom's resignation. It was banned later as Gayyoom could not stand criticism.
19th July 2004
Another unprecedented act showing the strength of the people of Maldives. 23 MPs of the Constitutional assembly worked out of the parliament in defiance because attempted to undermine the constitution of the Maldives by the Speaker.
5th August 2004
As Gayyoom banned reform debates and assemblies, people started gathering near the tetrapod monument in the eastern corner of Male'. This was banned on 8th August. Over the next 2 days 4 reformists were arrested. Gayyoom takes the law into his hands.
11th August 2004
Sheik Fareed was in the Court today. It was revealed that he was going to be sentenced for life. He was held in solitary confinement for 2 years. His friends and supporters gathered around the justice building. Later they walked around Male' in defiance.
12th August 2004
Fifth member of the reform movement was taken into custody today. People started gathering near Police HQ in Republican Square. By midnight there were over 10,000 people demanding for the release of the 5 reformists who were arrested in the past 2 days.
13th August 2004
Around 2 am 5 reformists were released as demanded by the crowd. The crowd then demanded the release of other political prisoners and called for the resignation of the President. By 3 in the afternoon, Police pounded on the crowd and arrested hundreds.
August 2004
Gayyoom continues to arrest more people. Police brutality has been beyond comprehension. More than 600 people are in detention now, including 11 members of the constitutional assembly. International media critical. Gayyoom denies any wrong doings as well as torture.
26th December 2004
Asian Tsunami hits the Maldivian killing nearly 100 people and devastating several islands. Several resorts and inhabited islands had to be evacuated. International aid arrived early but Gayyoom's government failed to respond to the crisis adequately.
22 January 2005
Parliamentary election results gives reformist candidates seats in the parliament (19/42) winning the capital Male' seats and that of Addu Atoll second most populated area. Political parties not allowed to operate and candidates run as independents.
30 April 2005
Maldivian Democratic Party Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed returns home from almost 2 years in exile. Large crowd recieves him at the airport and marched on the streets of Male' calling for more freedom and democracy and for recognition of the party.
26 June 2005
Gayyoom allows political parties and MDP becomes the first to be officially registered. Jubilation in the whole country as the party is recognised as an entity. Gayyoom registered his own Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) with government officials later.
read more
12 August 2005
Mohammed Nasheed, the leader of the MDP and more than 100 reformists arrested on charges of terrorism. Nasheed, was conducting a vigil on the anniversary of a mass arrest of pro-democracy demonstrators. His arrest has sparked huge unrest.
15 August 2005
Unrest in Male' after demonstrators took to the street calling for the release of MDP Chairman and for Gayyoom's resignation. 100's of reformists beaten up and detained unlawfully by Gayyoom's illicit government.
01 September 2005
EU issues a foreign policy statement expressing concern over the unrest and arrest of key reformists and call on Gayyoom to adhere to international standards in conducting trials and uphold human rights in the Maldives.
16 October 2005
Observer UK covers a story explaining the darker side of the Maldives tourism and how British tourists can also play a role to ensure that human rights abuses in Maldives come to an end. Article calls for tourists to be aware of the truth.
read more
25 October 2005
Sir Ivan Reports - Report of September 2005 United Kingdom lawyers delegation to the Republic of Maldives to assess prospects of a fair trial for persons facing prosecution for terrorism and crimes against the State. Report on depravation of human rights.
29 November 2005
Will the British government seize the assets of members of the Government of Maldives? Mr. Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will a) freeze the bank accounts b) seize the assets of members of the Government of the Maldives in response to human rights abuses. more
04 December 2005
BBC World Service Radio - Newshour - Gayyoom says his job is now done. Mr. Moosa says if there is a terrorist in Maldives it is Gayyooom and Mr. Nasheed is the Hero of Democracy in Maldives. No constitutional reform in the last 2 years despite the fact he has majority in the parliament.
December 2005
Maldivian Democratic Party holds its first annual party congress. Party leadership elected and shadow government established. In addition, a National Council is elected. Election was monitored and endorsed by international observer. Former President of Seychelles is chiefguest.
moreThe terror continues ..... arbitrary arrests and detention without charge....
DO Exclusive
Pictures from the Maafushi Jail Shooting incident Maldives
On 19th September 2003, Evan Naseem was beaten to death by Gayyoom's security people in jail. 20th September 2003;3 inmates were killed and 16 were injured when they protested demanding to know why their friend was killed. These pictures were in the possession of the police for over a year hidden from public domain but were first published in Dhivehi Observer in October 2004 . Click here to view pictures
(Please be warned that these images are disturbing)
Recent Papers and Dossiers of Maldivian Democratic Party
- Is Amnesty International lying? Making up stories? No
- Is the US State Department lying, making up stories? No
- Is the BBC and the world media lying? No
- Aren't the people of Maldives deprived of basic human rights? Yes
- Isn't Gayyoom the longest serving elected leader in Asia? Yes
- Doesn't Gayyoom have his family and friends in the cabinet? YesSo, Who should the world believe, a liar, a tyrant or the innocent people of Maldives?
Dhivehi Observer Qucik Guide to Gayyoom's Tyranny
Maldivians crying out for democracy
STATEMENT by Nirj Deva DL MEP - Member if the European Parliament for South East England
Maldives: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2003 - US Department of State
Republic of Maldives; Repression of peaceful political opposition Amnesty International
Trouble in Paradise - Human Rights Features 22-28 March 2003
Amnesty International Report AI INDEX: ASA 29/002/2003 30 July 2003
Investigative findings on the incident of shooting at Maafushi Jail
Maldives: yet another crackdown on peaceful political activity
Constitution of Maldives (unofficial translation by government)
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