Wednesday 30 November 2005

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British Parliamentary Questions
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs - Human Rights of prisoners of conscience in the Maldives
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights of prisoners of conscience in the Maldives, with particular reference to (a) Mohamed Nasheed and (b) Jennifer Latheef. more

Quick Review

Gayyoom's Commonwealth Speech
In normal academic and political terms, what Gayyoom claims as a Speech by him on behalf of the Asian members at the final session of the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta was in effect a concluding thank you note. However, used the opportunity to praise British Prime Minister Tony Blair but went on to mess the whole thing up by referring to the Dictator of Uganda Museveni as 'my friend'. Another interesting point to note is how an invitee called him "home grown politician,". Gayyoom has obviously had a hard time in the meeting this year but he has not stopped making an absolute arse of himself by saying that like his friend Museveni of Uganda, he has lost count of the number of times he has attended these meetings. Perhaps Gayyoom should sit down quietly and think about how and why he has lost count and how he has lost it all. It is only a matter of time now. click here to read his so called 'speech'

Minivan News
Mohamed Nasheed's (Anni) Period of Detention Due for Renewal Tomorrow
The Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Mohamed Nasheed's (Anni) period of detention is due for renewal tomorrow. Anni is currently under house arrest in Male', awaiting trial for "terrorism" and "sedition." more

Tuesday 29 November 2005

Minivan News
Sleaze and Corruption Continues to Dog Gayoom's Administration
President Gayoom's assertions to be the 'defender of Islamic values' in Maldives is increasingly under threat following a number of scandalous documents and photographs published in the Dhivehi Observer newspaper. The scandal surrounds the behaviour of Fathulla Jameel, who was foreign minister under Gayoom for 27 years and remains a special advisor and close confidant of the president. more

Minivan News

Fuel Shortages Hitting Businesses across Maldives
Reports coming in from Male’ and the provinces indicate that the Maldives is currently facing fuel shortages and the difficulties involved in obtaining petrol are affecting consumers, both in the capital Male’ and the provinces. more

Monday 28 November 2005

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

Human rights breaches by Uganda and Maldives demand immediate reference to CMAG, Forum says; "And let's not forget Zimbabwe's people"
Breaches of human rights principles by two member states warrant immediate reference to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), according to a communique' by the Commonwealth Human Rights Forum. The forum's report also urged an examination of breaches of the Harare Commonwealth Principles in Uganda and the Maldives. It also asked that the people and opposition in Zimbabwe not to be forsaken. more

Maldives Culture
Nasir is a leader whose name must be in the list with Ghazi Bandarain and Dhon Bandarain - Iyye - 'Yesterday' translation has begun
Banned in 1997, now becoming available in English translation for the first time over the coming weeks - the twentieth century history of Maldives by Abdul Hakeem Hussein Manik. When Nasir became Prime Minister on 11 December 1957, Maldivians were still largely unaware of literacy and mathematics. They were an ignorant, silly and stupid people. Since the death of Dhon Bandarain, the way to control the throne of Male' had been through corrupt, dirty, ruthless infighting. This style of politics intensified as time went on.  more

HT Column
Gayyoom's Constitutional Reform A Missed Opportunity for Democracy
By amending the constitution for the second time since dictator Gayyoom took power twenty-seven years ago has sent out an unequivocal message to the people that he has no respect for the constitution. Certainly he cannot expect people waiting for another 27 years for democratic reform; a factor that will serve to intensify the perceived lack of legitimacy within his body politic in the eyes of the people. This dichotomy goes to the very heart of Maldivian's ills as it symbolises the absence of national consensus on core governance issues and the total lack of public trust in the current Government. more

Sunday 27 November 2005

The Independent - UK

No room for principles as Commonwealth club meets
By an accident of the alphabet, Tony Blair was placed next to the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, the latest member of the Commonwealth club to fall into disgrace for ignoring the organisation's founding principles by throwing an opposition leader in jail. Yet Mr Museveni was not the only offender of the Commonwealth's ideals. The Maldives President and the Kenyan delegate could see their countries accused of undermining the democratic values on which the Commonwealth now stakes its reputation. more

Nashid Column
Foundations that are not allowed to be built upon are worse than none
According to President Gayoom the political arena in the Maldives has never been so free and open as it is today. The prisoner who is taken to Maafushi in a Dhoni on a heavy sea with his hands cuffed behind his back may feel some kind of freedom when his request to have only one hand cuffed with the accompanying prison guard is granted. more

Friends of Maldives
FOM attends Reporters Without Borders Conference in Paris
On Wednesday the 16th of November Friends of Maldives was invited to attend a press conference organised by the international media watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF - Reporters Without Borders). more

MDP News

Raajje Gofi holds its first meeting

Male' - A branch of MDP, Raajje Gofi held its first meting on 24th November in Alfresco Cafe'. In the meeting, Gofi's President other officer bearers were elected. more

Saturday 26 November 2005

Editorial Note - It is amazing that despite being a very powerful and rich man in Maldives, Fathulla has to beg Kings and Sultans around the world for money to treat his sick child and other personal matters. Recently, he rented Kandooma Tourist Resort for 22 million US Dollars over 15 year period. more

EXPOSED
Kandooma Subleased for 22 Million US Dollars; then why is Fathulla begging?
Click here to view the draft Kandooma Tourist Resort sublease agreement

Minivan News
Commonwealth Human Rights Forum Calls on Heads of Government to Investigate Maldives Abuse
Fifty participants from over fifteen different countries in the second Commonwealth Human Rights Forum called on the Commonwealth Heads of Government to investigate allegations of rights violations in the Maldives yesterday. more

Friday 25 November 2005

History & Literature
Maldives History - Another masterpiece by Maldives Culture
Michael O'shea and his wife Fareesha with assistance from Majid Abdul Wahab, have just completed and published an online version of 'Maldives History (1558-1848)' translated from Dhivehi to English. This extensive work took about a year in which the dates are converted to Gregorian calendar for ease of reference. "History is useful for explaining the present and planning for the future, and Maldives is at a critical stage of political reform. The Dhivehi version of the Tareek is difficult to read because the words are joined together. For many younger Maldivians, their history will now be more accessible." Michael said. He added "We hope this translation, and the others that are following shortly, will increase awareness and understanding of Maldives as a unique and independent culture," said Michael. A free English PDF version of the Tareek will be available in early December, and on 28 November Maldives Culture begins a complete translation of Hakeem Hussein Manik's twentieth century history "Iyye" means Yesterday. It was was banned within days of publication in 1997 by Golhaabo for reasons only an arrogant and selfish person like him would know. read Preface and Parts 1-5

CHRI Statement
Second Commonwealth Human Rights Activists meeting in Malta
On 20th and 21st November 2005, human rights activists from across the Commonwealth met in Valletta, Malta, for the second Commonwealth Human Rights Forum. The forum brought members of human rights non-governmental organizations, National Human Rights Institutions and other civil society actors as well as a representative of the Commonwealth Secretariat as observer. Complementing the official CHOGM theme of "Networking the Commonwealth for Development", participants focused on "Networking for Human Rights" and examined the reality of space available to civil society for human rights within member countries and the Commonwealth as an association. Participants shared experiences and discussed how to raise the profile of human rights within the Commonwealth system. Participants of the 2005 Commonwealth Human Rights Forum made recommendations to the Commonwealth Heads of Government as well as to the civil society. read the concluding statements and recommendations

Thursday 24 November 2005

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Minivan News
Commonwealth Human Rights Forum Calls on Heads of Government to Investigate Maldives Abuse
Fifty participants from over fifteen different countries in the second Commonwealth Human Rights Forum called on the Commonwealth Heads of Government to investigate allegations of rights violations in the Maldives yesterday. more
 

BBC News
Zimbabwe officials' assets frozen
The United States has widened sanctions against Robert Mugabe's government in Zimbabwe, freezing the assets of 128 people and 33 institutions. US President George W Bush issued an executive order targeting those "hindering democratic reform in Zimbabwe", including Mr Mugabe himself. more

Developing News
Indian Navy Website boasts about giving a small patrol vessel to a dictator
In the official Indian Navy Website, they seem to be boasting about the fact that they have agreed to gift a small Tarasa Class FAC(G) – (Tarasa, Trinkat, Tillanchang) patrol craft to help an aging Dictator in our small country. "Indian government may be on the side of the Dictator but the people of India are with the people of Maldives" a senior journalist in India said whilst another journalist said "I will not be able to write about defence matters on my own from Trivandrum as the defence ministry does not have much presence here. However, I can possibly report it if you issue a statement as the opposition party. I do not know why India has decided to transfer the vessel."  So, is MDP bold enough to make a statement regarding this matter. Surely Indian can help us with other things than in military capacity. Who on earth can we defends ourselves against, really! Check it out

And, click here to find specification of the exact model of craft being gifted to Golhaabo.

reporters without boarders
The 15 enemies of the Internet and other countries to watch
Reporters Without Borders marks the World Summit on the Information Society by presenting 15 countries that are "enemies of the Internet" and pointing to a dozen others whose attitude to it is worrying. The Maldives - The archipelago is a paradise for tourists but a nightmare for cyber-dissidents. The 25-year regime of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom cracks down harshly on freedom of expression. more

Asian Centre for Human Rights
Bangladesh: Judges under the attacks of the Jihadis
In its extraordinary meeting on 21 November 2005, the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) decided that no judge would work as a vacation judge to another district during the vacations in December 2005 for security reasons. It also decided that unless the government exempts the judges from paying taxes on their private vehicles and firearms, they would stay absent from the courts for an indefinite period and take leave en masse from 1 January 2006. The decisions were taken following the killing of two judges by Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in Jhalakathi on 14 November 2005. more

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Wednesday 23 November 2005

Reuters
Sri Lanka floods hit thousands
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Floods triggered by heavy rains in Sri Lanka have affected some 40,000 people, the government said on Wednesday, including many living in makeshift shelters since last year's tsunami. more

Minivan News
Civil Disobedience has Already Begun
There has been no official launching of the civil disobedience campaign proposed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party but incidences of civil disobedience have already begun to manifest in the capital, Male'. more

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Tuesday 22 November 2005

Hindustan Times
India to transfer naval vessel to Maldives
India on Monday announced that it would transfer one of its naval patrol vessels to the Maldives early next year as part of efforts to increase military cooperation with nations in the Indian Ocean region. more


Hindustan Times
India to transfer Fast-Attack Patrol Craft to Maldives
As part of its new reach-out policy to neighbouring countries, India today announced the transfer of a Fast-Attack Patrol Craft to the Maldives besides helping it to carry out a new hydrographic survey. more

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Monday 21 November 2005

Business News
Bank of Maldives GM Miss Whore's contract extended
Male'- BOM General Manager Miss. Whore's contract is to be extended for a further 2 years on her conditions despite allegations of corruption and favouritism on her part. Local businessmen have confirmed that she works on a personal agenda and has now been promised by the Finance Minister Qasim in a meeting today that her contract will be extended on her own conditions, which include hiring 2 more Singaporeans to assist her in her work. more

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Sunday 20 November 2005

Minivan News
Shaneez Hashim Wins Appeal Case – Sentence Reduced from Life Imprisonment to Five Years' House Arrest
Shaneez Hashim's lawyer, Husnu Suood, welcomed the decision of the High Court this morning to overturn his client's sentence from life imprisonment to 5 years' house arrest as a "major achievement for human rights in Maldives." more 

DO Exclusive
Fathulla Jameel, Secretary General of the United Nations in waiting?
Editorial Note - Gayyoom's best friend Fathulla Jameel (FJ) has the world record for holding the post of Foreign Minister for over 30 years. Being Gayyoom's chum, he was regarded by many as the second most powerful man in the Maldives. FJ was relieved of his duties earlier this year by Gayyoom after realizing that there was a need for fresh faces to promote his dictatorship around the world. more

Nashid Column
Respect has to be earned
The justice minister of the Maldives is of the opinion that trust and respect for the legal institutions cannot be gained by only strengthening the laws and regulations of the country but would also require a change in the public's perception of these institutions. In a sense he is very correct. more

Press Statement
No confidence in Gayyoom's nominations for Human Rights Commission
Hama Jamiyya cannot accept nominating members of the Human Rights Commission based solely on their [lack of a] criminal record, without checking this information. The Commonwealth Best Practices also notes the importance of Human Rights Commission members being persons who have shown an active interest in the protection of human rights. more

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Saturday 19 November 2005

BBC News
Earthquake strikes off Indonesia
A strong earthquake has been recorded 255 km (160 miles) west of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The US Geological Survey said the quake measured 6.5 and struck at a depth of 30km (18.6 miles) at 2110 (1410GMT). more

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Minivan News
Inability to Appoint Names to Human Rights Commission Leaves Gayoom in Breach of Law
President Gayoom was left in breach of the Human Rights Act yesterday, following months of dithering by the President’s Office in proposing names for the new Human Rights Commission (HRC). more

Minivan News
Tourism Operators Need to Look Beyond the Paradise Picture-Postcards
"Welcome to the Maldives, the sunny side of life", reads the motto of the Maldives Tourist Board. Picture yourself on a white sandy beach, the sun sparkling off the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean only five metres away from your 5-star beach bungalow. more

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Friday 18 November 2005

Reuters

South Asian Tsunami - Corruption and aid
The Indian Ocean tsunami generated a record amount of aid -- more than $11 billion -- but the enormous inflow of cash to countries like Indonesia and Sri Lanka with a history of corruption has raised fears the money could vanish into the wrong pockets. more

Minivan News
Clinton's Deputy Envoy for Tsunami Recovery said to Dodge Questions over Lack of Political Reform in Maldives
"Much more needs to be done" on Maldives political reform according to Clinton's Special Envoy for tsunami recovery, Mr Eric Schwartz, who ended a three-day visit to Maldives yesterday. more

FoM Campaign
Democracy on Trial - Jennifer Latheef
The director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Ms Maja Daruwala stated: "While it is positive to note that international players, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, are providing assistance behind the scenes, there is a disappointing lack of public statements condemning negative events in the Maldives. Continued silence implies acceptance of violation of human rights and risks damaging the commonwealth's reputation whose membership is dependent on adherence to the principles of democracy and human rights articulated in the Harare Declaration." more

Thursday 17 November 2005

Local News

People's Majlis convened on short notice to select human rights commission
Male' - The Human Rights Bill which came into effect 3 months back clearly stated that a 7 member commission for human rights would have to be approved by the parliament within 3 months from the bill being ratified. According to experts the deadline is midnight tonight. It appears that Gayyoom as usual did not pay attention to this bill and particular did not know about it until it was mentioned by some MPs. A special session was setup for tonight to elect 7 members from a list of some 10 nominees by Gayyoom, which included really dodgy and disgraceful individuals such as Kelaa Alibe, who has is still paying of some of his debts, former criminal court judge Abdulla Saeed, Wahoo (Angaga) Zahir, Fair Zahir (Aafathis) as well as Mr. Soleh from Health ministry and Madulu Waheed amongst others. A full report on them will be published soon.

Our choice for Chairman of Human Rights Commission would be Kelaa Alibe (NOT). Just in case Gayyoom was having difficulty picking one.

According some legal experts, Gayyoom is already too late and he should be impeached for breaking the law.

MDP Meeting Review

MDP rally promises to bring down Gayyoom peacefully
Last night's MDP rally in Ghiyaasudheen was resonating with assertions made by speakers that Gayyoom's dictatorship will be brought to it's knees peacefully. As usual, thousands flocked the school where the meeting was held and expressed their support and interacted with the speakers constantly. more

Letter to Hussain Shihab
"Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play."
I have only one observation to make, and that is that your government fails to understand that the facts of the situation in the Maldives speak for themselves in this electronically-connected age, and that the lies and falsehoods propagated in that letter by Hussain Shihab on behalf of the incumbent "President" of the Maldives are extremely obvious to even the most casual observer. Maumoon is becoming increasingly well-known in many nations of the world for the abusive quasi-dictator that he is. more

Addu Observer
Do we really need this?
Why do we need to send every video we import into Maldives to the Censor Board? Why do they take duty on video imported by individuals? These are the questions a lot of people ask. I haven’t met anyone with an answer. Could anyone please answer this? more

Minivan News
Sri Lanka Prepares to Vote for a New President in Historic Election
Sri Lanka is to go to the polls on Thursday in an historical election, which will close the curtain on the Presidency of Chandrika Kumaratunga who has been in power in Sri Lanka since 1994. Mrs. Kumaratunga is barred from standing in Thursday’s election because Sri Lanka’s Constitution only allows presidents to serve two terms in office. more

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Wednesday 16 November 2005

Editorial
Gayyoom's failed attempts to convince the world that "It's simply not true!"

"I do not wish to comment on Mr. Shafeeq's references to a "grand palace" "multi-million dollar yacht" "countless numbers of speed boats" "a holiday resort of his own", as these items are state properties same as the White House, Air Force One, Camp David and so on, in the United States, of course with no comparison intended, which are normal things available to and at the disposal of whoever is occupying the seat of Presidency." - Hussain Shihab more

Minivan News
Opposition Sources Question Independence of Proposed Judicial Services Commission
The Maldives is to "fast-track a further tranche of political and judicial reform measures,” in the measure of an independent Judicial Services Commission (JSC), the President's Office has announced. It is “seen by many as a key element in the ongoing reform programme announced by the President in June 2004," they added in a recent press statement. more

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