Dr. Saeed, Attorney General is an expert on Freedom of
Expression
Mariyam
Mohamed, 26th May 2004
|
Dr.
Hassan Saeed
Attorney General |
The young Attorney General of Maldives, Dr
Saeed, holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Comparative
Laws from the International Islamic University in Malaysia
and a Doctorate from University of Queensland, Brisbane
Australia.
His PhD was awarded for
research into Freedom of Speech in Malaysia. The study concluded that
excessive regulation of freedom of expression in Malaysia
does not enhance economic development or social harmony.
He further added that the "Existing restrictions on traditional mass media such as television,
radio and newspapers are becoming increasingly irrelevant
with the development of the Internet. This revolution in
communication has given rise to online-based media
alternatives, and as sources of news and commentary these
have not only broken the Government’s hitherto unchallenged
monopoly over dissemination of information, but operate
largely above the existing legal framework.”
Dr. Saeed was announced as holding a doctorate in
Constitutional Law, when he was awarded the portfolio of the
Attorney General of the Maldives.
During the announcement of the intention to submit a Freedom
of Information Act bill next year, the young Attorney
General of Maldives said to reporters on 24th May
2004
"Press
Freedom in Maldives has been traditionally very strictly
controlled , so letting loose of such controls suddenly will
not be very good"
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- '04 iaem 24 -
clwrenej InWTea - udIAws .rD -
How can such an expert [on Freedom of Expression] on the topic make such an outrageous
claim that letting loose of the control on freedom of press
so suddenly may not be good. It is not up to the Government
of Maldives to decide or even debate whether Freedom of the
Press should be let loose. It is enshrined in the
constitution. Governments must run the state in accordance
with the constitution. He should know that. It is his duty
is to uphold the constitution despite being a member of the
cabinet.
What is even more astonishing about yesterday’s briefing is
that he went on to contradict himself by stating on record
that “However,public opinion can best be amassed by
giving press freedom”.
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cSwkwtWlcaejwmcsUn InEbil iawgcaetogWvcnegiSwkeaemcnea
ulWyiK egcnutiycawr umcaWA ukwmwkea"
- '04 iaem 24 -
clwrenej InWTea - udIAws .rD -
Let us hope that this is not just a slip of tongue, as it
will most certainly cost him his cabinet portfolio.
Nevertheless, it will be a good lesson for him to remember
and the danger of freedom of expression in a country ruled
by a Predator of Freedom of Expression.
"Self-expression
is the essence of human existence...
if a man cannot affirm his perception of the world,
of what value is he to himself or to those around him?"
wrote one of DO reader from Male’ today. This
reiterates the motto of Dhivehi Observer “ the life which is
unexamined is not worth living” Plato.
With hypocrits people such as Dr. Saeed serving in the
upper echelons of the government, it is hard to see how a
Freedom of Information Act can serve its imminent purpose of
creating a more just and honourable society that upholds the
rule of law and freedom of expression.
Since the beginning of Gayyoom's Presidency in 1978, the
media has been severely restricted to the level where the
editorial lines are dictated by the President’s Office. Mr.
Gayyoom has never had a uniformed opposition for the past 25
years as a result.
Virtually all those who attempted to establish a free press
service, Sangu, Hukuru, and Sandhaanu have all tasted long
prison sentences in the Maldives and many are still in
detention after being sentenced in grossly unfair trials for
charges of terrorism acts, inciting violence or attempted
character assassination of the President. The famous charge
of attempted murder of 6 heads of states alleged against
Mohamed Shafeeq (Bodu Sappe’), the editor of Sangu magazine
is still afresh in the memories of many who were associated
with the project. When asked about the specific case of
Sandhaanu reporters and editors by Alex Perry in the famous
Time Asia
article, Mr. Gayyoom brushed aside the question by saying
that they were not really journalists. The famous Sandhaanu
group all got life sentences in prison except Miss. Nisreen
who is serving a 15 year sentence. Their apparent crime is
involvement in the publication of an internet based magazine
to empower the general public and expose the misdemeanours
of senior public servicemen. It is absolutely mind boggling.
Even writing about the history, rise and fall of former
President, Mohamed Ameen, who was killed by a mob, is also
seen as sedition. Mr. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) was locked up
for the second time in 1997 for writing an article in Inter
Press Service about Elections in the Maldives. He was
sentenced for 2 ½ years on charges of sedition. Amnesty
International
has reported the accounts of those many who opposed
Gayyoom’s government which resulted in solitary confinement
and long prison terms without even a trial. Reporters
Without Boarders
classed him amongst the Predators of Freedom of Speech.
Political analysts in the Maldives say that the current
activates of the government with regard to reforming the
country is a complete farce, a bait to catch the leading
reformists who are still living in the country. He wants to
break it up before as soon as possible as it is bound to
result in his fall. Mr. Gayyoom is desperate to bring peace
and order and maintain social harmony, which is all about
total control of the power, wealth and institutions of the
Maldives.
Mr. Gayyoom is slowly running out of cards to play. The
constitutional amendments he intends to propose can only be
deduced as his last card to fool the people he serve and the
international community. Why should he not allow the public
to share information and debate issues of mammoth
proportions, that is important to every single Maldivian in
the country and not just himself and his cronies.
The call for the unblocking of dissident websites,
www.maldivesculture.com,
www.ilovemaldives.com,
www.e-maldives.com and Maldivian Democratic Party’s
website
www.maldiviandemocraticparty.org , remain unanswered as
expected. More to the point, the Strategic Communications
Unit at the President’s Office which was formed last week is
busy sending viruses to the emails of dissidents. DO calls
on the Government Spokesman Dr. Shahid to resign from the
post to show solidarity with the people who are desperate
for a more humane form of government. A man’s integrity lies
in being faithful to his nation and his people not to a
person who has abandoned such core values. Dr. Shahid, you
are the future of Maldives.
And, to Dr. Saeed, please pass on a copy of your PhD thesis
to Mr. Gayyoom and be true to your self, you must uphold the
constitution of the country and protect is from abuse by any
and all persons.
