EDITORIAL
Ethical Writing
 Dhivehi Observer editorial board is noticing a lot of article contributors ignoring established standards of writing, when making their contributions to us. Our concern mainly comes with the plagiarising writers who 'rip-off' whole articles with slight cosmetic changes to suit the writers needs. We would like to advise our contributors this brings the writers to disrepute as well as this medium and the people who make it possible. read more

Fas Sangu issue 8 released

 OPINION                                                                                           Why we need party system in Maldives                                                           My opinion has changed over the years. I was once a very strong supporter and advocate of the "No Political Party" movement. I have had a complete and full reversal in opinion since then and now whole-heartedly and vigorously campaign for a multi party approach. read more

DO Open Letter to Mr. Gayyoom
Key actions that Mr. Gayyoom is required to take, at the behest of the People, immediately and unconditionally, in consistency with the pledges you made in your speech on the 9^th of June 2004. read more

1 - csWmitclia eguhUr egcnirevcswm

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cSwncnutiycawr cSwtugcawhea csevwmwnIviawfiLeawDnwk iawgIsWswa unUnWq cSwtugcawh Wviawfibil
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EvuLWdiv cSwrutia .evencnumwvwmWh

A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe') DO Editor-in-chief

 EDITORIAL
Gayyooms’ Feckless Legacy
If he sincerely wants to leave a legacy behind, he has to admit to his crimes and apologise to the people of Maldives and resign without any delay. His legacy, if any left would be that of a caitiff academician, who resorted to invest his deception and hypocrisy to swindle a nation of its wealth and to devastate a whole generation in pursuit of his personal agendas. Historians would only be wise not to write a legacy which is not worth the ink its being written with. read more

 

 

 

David Hardingham Founder Friends of Maldives, UK

All Party Parliamentary Group on the Maldives and the meeting of Mr Hussain Shihab
It was interesting to see that Mr Shihab told the assembled member of the Parliamentary Group on the Maldives that Associations are prohibited under the existing constitution of the Maldives. Mr. Hardingham is currently doing research in to the allegations of human rights abuses and investigating the impact of Tourism on the Maldives. He is due to submit his findings in a special conference to be organised in London. We believe he is now in Addu Atoll after visiting Male' on his researches. read more                               

 

 

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 www.maldivesroyalfamily.com  
Maldive National Anthem
Until the late 1940s the state anthem of the Maldives was a melody with no lyrics. It was called the Salaamathi and was performed by the royal band on state occasions at the Etherekoilu, the official residence of the King of Twelve Thousand Isles and Sultan of the Maldives in Malé. On most occasions the Salaamathi would be preceded by a seven-gun salute fired from the Aa-Kotte Buruzu bastion within the Etherekoilu. read more
 

Issue 2 released

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cnwxEmofcnia Wa ITWp caea cniaeret ITWped WviawfId wdcauh cSwa IvITclwbEk iawgEjcaWr

EvuLWdiv cSwrutia .eveaejcawgih WLwa wnwhwfudcawh urwvcnim WviawfihemWl rwTcsinim

The Abuse of foreign aid in the Maldives                                                  Maldives has the unique feature of a town straddling two sides – The islands, yet lacks portable drinking water for the simple reason that there has been no effort in 25 years to provide them the basic utility services.  Few residents of Male' earn more than a Swiss national, while the islanders dig shallow wells to get drinking water. read more

Fisherman's Independent Party (FIP) announces association            A Maldivian political party named Fisherman's Independent Party (FIP) has announced its formation today in a press release which was sent to Dhivehi Observer. Read Dhivehi language press release here

(FIP) "ITWP cTcnwDcnePiDcnia cscnemwSif"

iaWaIqcawrwt egumuawq Wmuhejwmwh Wmwkcnwvinim egcnutiycawr ihevid InwlWvog csevudwbwa ITWp im

cSwtogEdea cSwtITWP ,ukea WmuSefcnwgnih iawgEjcaWr cSokImcswr idefua cmwTcsis ITWP idwa.eveSwmureairuk

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 EvuLWdiv cSwrutia .eveSwmunidunwyi

   MDP newsletter 14

Corruption, a growing cancer in the Maldives                                    The government’s spending on education as a ratio to GDP is negatively and significantly correlated with corruption (the more corruption, the less spent on education). The figures show that that our decline in living standard is solely due to the high level of corruption in this government. If we take the inflation into account average Maldivian is earning less than what he or she earned 10 years ago. So are we better off  with this regime in place? read more

Maldives Need to Change — the Sooner the Better                           Let us not be fooled by the soothing words from our leader. Lets not paid PR companies decide our fate. We have to be aware that whoever is in charge of the Maldives, whether Gayyoom or Yameen, the regime will always be blinded by its desire to keep their power to serve its paramount political, personal gains and maintain their family’s grip over the people and the country. read more

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  cSwncnurwbcmem iretctwzcaia egcsilcjwm egcnutiycawr  
 , evenUn caeaWdiawf csevcaea unubil cSwmuawq cnemuDwguLwa Iaea cswywacSwmwkirev unUmuawm "
, umWzinIdWsitcqia , umWzinIsWyis egcnemuDwguLwa evenUncaencnehea , eveten caelwdwb csevcaea
EvuLWdivcSwrutia (1980 unUmuawm ) " .InEbilWdiawf cSwmuawq Encnegevulwdwb cawtcawtcnwkim
 

 PRESS RELEASE
Friends of Maldives New Website Launched 
FOM is an organisation devoted to improving awareness around the world of the Maldives and the Maldivian People. FOM aims to promote cultural links with the Maldives. FOM aims to improve freedom of speech and of association, protect human rights and encourage political pluralism in the Maldives. FOM aims to encourage a responsible, ethical and all inclusive approach to tourism in the Maldives. read more

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InwvIh .eveaejcaev itwmcnef cSwkwailcauk cawtulWyiK utWfwtcSwrwv ,iawgEret egcnihevid iawgukwtuLokcnwk
,iawgutwdcaumugidegumwkirev iSwkurwh eg cnOD exuawm urUhcxwm iawneg caebWligcnia cTcsinuaimokiawgWniawC
egubWligcnia IfWgws wtwvun cnwxuailovirclwrwCclwk iawa cSwnwtea iawgEret egukwturwhwa eg 1970
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iawgurwbwK ihevid eg8 egcscviDclOm .Iv .IT Er .eveawkwhWv egumuruk uhWlcsia IsWswa unUnWgInwkcawd
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 EvuLWdiv cSwrutia ?eveaOt WmwlWlwb
 

 DO  EXCLUSIVE
MALDIVES CULTURE FOUNDERS THREATENED BY GAYYOOM
" we act for the President of Maldives, its government and her servants" says Gayyoom's lawyer in Singapore in a threatening letter to Maldives Culture founders, Michael and Fareesha demanding the immediate shut down of their site. read more

Mr. Ismail Saadiq President Maldivian League for Democracy (MLD)

 A MESSAGE FROM MR. SAADIQ 
Maldivians must act now It's time to say it again. The patriotic fervor in the days following Sept. 20 prison riots has been reduced to a murmur. Its promise for a new day in media coverage, politics, and civic responsibility has brought almost nothing. But it isn't too late. read more

Gayyoom should resign immediately
Ahmed Moosa (Sappe'), Member of the General Council of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Editor in chief of Dhivehi Observer calls on Gayyoom to resign immediately and let the people of Maldives to decide what comes next.

10/06/2004 on BBC World Asia Today
If you cannot view please download real player

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Reforms, too little too late by Ismail Saadiq
According to the definition in MLD political manifesto, democracy is defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Adult suffrage plays an important role in democracy. In the name of forming a democratic government, different political parties throw their hats into the election ring. Every party issues its own election manifesto to influence the people in order to carry the laurels in the ensuing election battle. Besides, different parties entice the voters through election propaganda. Where educated people are in the majority and political consciousness is adequate, it is not very difficult for people to weigh the pros and cons of the manifesto of a particular party and to ascertain what is in the best interests of the people. But as the case in Maldives, where there is a dearth of education and political consciousness, and where people fail to understand the reality of the manifesto and are misled by wrong propaganda, by the incumbent government, they cast their ballots in favor of an individual whose ideals go contrary to the social interest and this is what is going to happen in the Maldives. Consequently, parties that go against the interests of the people are installed in power. read more

 

MDP Press Statement - 10th June 2004

For the people of Maldives and the international community to take his offer of constitutional reform seriously, Gayoom, his Attorney General, his judges and his National Security Service need to stop their open – often casual – abuse of the existing constitution. We submit that a new constitution, however perfect, would be of little use to the people of Maldives if Gayoom and the coercive force backing him are not prepared to honour such a constitution. The MDP would enthusiastically back any serious attempt at introducing a liberal, democratic political culture in the Maldives. read more

Statement on the Maldives by Richard Corbett (Member of the European Parliament)

I call for the safe return of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members to the Maldives in order for them to contest the parliamentary elections in September 2004. It is important that the people of Maldives are allowed to exercise their democratic rights and elect the representatives they wish in free and fair elections. read more

 In Brief

Official MDP Releases

MDP new website released

MDP draft Rules Of Procedure (English)

MDP Draft Rules of Procedure (Dhivehi)

MDP Draft Manifesto (English)

MDP Draft Manifesto (Dhivehi)

To all Diplomats

By Mohamed Nasheed (Anni)

'We seriously doubt if there will be any amendments that may dilute Gayyoom’s hegemony. As such, it is tough to get excited about the hype surrounding constitutional reform. This is Gayyoom's ruse to buy time and placate the international community who now seem to be taking our cry for reform more seriously. Gayyoom will make cosmetic changes, and try harder to hide the strings he attaches to any 'reform' he initiates' read more

 Maldivian League For Democracy - Press Release 9th June 2004
MLD President Mr. Saadiq calls on Gayyoom to resign immediately
MLD leadership has called its members in and out of Maldives to reject Gayyoom's sudden initiative for reform. It reminded its members that after 26 years of brutality and torturing thousands of its people, it is just too little too late for reform. These ideas were created just a week ago when every Maldivian had access to the their Development Program. These so called new ideas of Gayyoom are only to create more instability in the country, thus revoking all his ideas for reform at a day of his convenience. read more

The truth about Hills and Knowlton; Gayyoom is not willing to reform
Gayyoom has failed to convince the international community and the people of the Maldives that his administration is legitimate and fair in handling accusations of human rights violations and crimes against humanity, so it has now resorted to hiring a multinational PR firm that specializes in representing totalitarian governments and corporate polluters. Hiring Hill and Knowlton speaks volumes about the real intentions of Gayyoom and the lengths to which he will go to dupe the Maldives people and the international community. read more

Setting the record straight - more Gayyoom means no reform
Most rational people would agree that a quarter century is time enough to bring reform to a homogenous society like Maldives with only 300,000 people. An omnipotent autocrat like Gayyoom has enough power to implement reform if he wishes. read more

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caetWkwrwh IsWyis Ikwmuruk uhWlcsia IsWswa unUnWq

wscaWK egcnutiycawr IkwhIlijwm InUnWq Wdwh cseneguhWlcsia cSwa IsWswaunUnWq egEjcaWrihevid

cSwmwTcsisITWp Ikwncnurwbcnem wnig unuvoh .eveawfivoh Inwvim csilijwm wscaWK im .evehIlijwm

vuLWdiv cSwrutia  .evencnurwbcnem WrukudIaWt

Gayyoom's constitutional reform address; can the man be trusted?

Commander in Chief, General Gayyoom will tonight address the nation and the world through web cast about his constitutional reform ideas sharing meeting which is to be held tonight at Male' time 20:50 [16:50 GMT]. Reliable sources in the Maldives confirm that Gayyoom will announce the following key points to reform the current constitution:
1. Separation of the powers, The Legislature, The Executive and The Judiciary
2. Allowing freedom of association and the formation of political parties
3. Propose 2 4 year Presidential terms
The pundits say that this is a public relations stunt suggested by the Gayyoom's private PR firm, Hills and Knowlton of UK. It is expected that he will get these reforms rejected by the Special Majlis (Upper House of Parliament) and then can blame them for not wanting reform, which will end up in a statement such as people are not ready for reform despite my suggestions. Some one who in 17 years amended the last constitution to give him enormous executive powers cannot be entrusted with the ominous task of deciding the future of the Maldives, that of this generation and those to come. What is most astonishing is he is relentlessly trying to shut down the works of reformists. And, this is why we cannot hold him to his word. read more

 EDITORIAL
Dhoonidhoo Island Prison & Spa Resort Fully Booked; Free Holidays for Maldivians

Dhoonidhoo Prison Island & Spa Resort has a standard capacity of 50 single rooms but it is fully booked and hosts four times the occupancy level, which is 200 guests DO can reveal.

An all inclusive holiday in this luxurious resort island comes very cheap, all you have to do is express a view that is not inline with Gayyoom’s policies, which by the way only he knows or criticise any of his government officials. That is it! You get an all inclusive holiday which can last up to a lifetime! read more

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?evcaIkIvcneverukunctwkcawswm cSwmunidiawdOh ufWscnia uludwa cSwncnutiycawrihevid

.evefWBcniauludwA Ikwlwgcnib umcaihum emcneaidwa Ikwtwmckih wmwtwruf emcnea egukwtctWrWdia IAWmitcjia
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caeawlwscawm egumWzin
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  EvuLWdiv cSwrutia  .evekemurWrwa InUnWq .eveawlwscawm
 

 OPINION

A Look at the problems at IGMH - always room for change

Hospital Management and Administration is a field in itself and we need people trained for that. I am surprised at times how things are mismanaged....it is as if they say that this is the best possible anywhere. read more

 DO  EXCLUSIVE
Gayyoom lies to the world : Sheikh Fareed is framed
"I can declare that I have not committed any of the crimes alleged against me and with a clear and conscious mind, I can guarantee that my speeches were 100% in compliance with the principles and teachings of Islam. I have never incited violence in any of my speeches and almost all the contexts was based on Islamic faith and the principles of creating a harmonious, happy and a just society.I strongly insist on my innocence and condemn these infringements on my human rights which are guaranteed by the constitution of Maldives. I have a wife and two young children, aged 4 and 2. My arrest and detention and the continued restriction of my life has meant that I am unable to earn a living as people are not only intimidated to employ me; there is no guarantee on what would happen tomorrow." Sheikh Fareed reveals the truth

 Blast from the past
All ears to him — Fareed's popularity rises as religious preacher and leader of Friday prayer
This article was published in Huvaas Magazine on 26th December 2001 - Translation by Maldives Culture
'I try to deliver to the public the message of the Friday prayer sermon in the spirit that it requires, and provide an uplifting feeling to the hearts of the people. A sermon should not be read out as a lesson, or told like a story,' said Fareed.
Fareed now receives invitations from all over Maldives and he has visited many islands to deliver religious sermons. Fareed is satisfied with the work he has carried out in making the general public aware of religion. read more

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ejcaivuLuh ctWrWmiaWa egclUkcs cnIdcaujWt

"ifcaokcaemwkegutWz wncnwainih cSwrwv cnegiawDwv cnImWy"

 NEWS IN BREIF
Gayyoom to TELL the public what he thinks about reforming of the constitution
In the morning news, it was reported that Gayyoom is going to meet with a large number of people on Wednesday 9th June, night at the Islamic Centre to tell what he thinks about the reforming of the constitution. So there is an open invitation including the ministers, prominent government officials, academics, members of associations as well as anyone who is interested in this issue. The President's Office is now organising the meeting, it was reported.

DO wants to TELL Gayyoom to "nicely" and "goodly" step down and let democratic processes to take its own course. Someone who was only able to perfect the chapter on his own protection in 17 years of heavy amendments to the constitution cannot be entrusted to be fair and pure in his deeds. In this instance, we also would like to TELL him that he is not a GOD either. "He seriously thinks that he is GOD" told a cabinet Minister.

Fas Sangu 7 released

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 NEWS IN BREIF
 Breaking News
 Gayyoom... do you feel anything? You are reponsible for this... this is murder!


On 19th September 2003, Gayyoom's security forces beat to death Mr. Evan Naseem. His ribs were caved in from the torture which penetrated his lungs causing his death. Above, Ameen was shot to death along with two other on 20th September 2003 because they demanded justice for the brutal murder of Evan Naseem.

 Gayyoom is at it AGAIN!

Gayyoom's killing spree set to rise
DO is receiving news from Male' that there are two persons undergoing heavy torture in Male' at the moment. Mr. Ahmed Falah is being interrogated for taking a video of a recent victim who died under suspicious circumstances. Mr. Falah has been detained in Male' police headquarters and heavily tortured to obtain copy of the video tape and also his phone, which he is refusing to surrender. He is being tortured in the famous Fengolhi "Water Box" and is reported to be quite weak. His family has not been allowed to visit or is not given any information about his condition. Read more

Gayyoom's “Simply Not True” Rebuttal of Amnesty International 2004 Report
Give the man his dues; Gayyoom is making progress. In the past Gayyoom quite simply ignored comments on his gross violation of human rights or took the moral high ground on his “sovereign rights” over Maldives. This time however, he has deemed it necessary to get his recently appointed spin-doctors to churn out a written rebuttal. That, in Gayyoom's terms, is significant progress. The two million dollars given to Bangladeshi son-in-law seems to be producing some results. read more
 

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_______________________________
iSufcauduLuk.dh / eginItcawv / udIxwrcaudcbwA

 NEWS IN BREIF
Mr. Shakeeb, the Managing Director of MIFCO passes away
We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Mr. Ibrahim Shakeeb, the Managing Director of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). Mr. Shakeeb passed away on 5ht June 2004 in Bangkok whilst undergoing medical treatment. Mr. Shakeeb is one of the few public figures who maintained a very high level of integrity and lived a humble life. He was also much loved by his staff. He was unable to carry out his work as he wished because of government's constant interference with the operations of MIFCO.
The Editors of Dhivehi Observer offer their sincere and deepest condolences to Mr. Shakeeb's family in this most enduring of times. May his soul be blessed by Almighty Allah and grant him the eternal serenity of Paradise, Amen!

 QUOTE  
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."
Joseph Goebbels, German Minister of Propaganda, 1933-1945

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