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Pro-reform MP Hon. Ilyas Hussain is sacked from the Government

Mariyam Mohamed, Male’, 8 August 2004

Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim

Member of the Special Majlis for Ari Atoll South, Hon. Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim has been given a 3 month notice today. This is the ‘golden handshake’. Hon. Ilyas has been working in the Ministry of Atolls Development since 1993. He has been in the government since 1983 except for a 3 year period from 1990-1993 in which period he was in solitary confinement for being a vocal critic of the government. Until the recent upheavals and protests at the Special Majlis Assembly, Hon. Ilyas was in charge of the section of the Ministry but has been slowly swept aside after he filed a lawsuit against his own Minister, who is incidentally the incumbent Speaker of the Parliament.

Hon. Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim has been a true hero of the Maldivian democratic and freedom movement over the past 20 years. He has been in an out of jail for his active involvement in promoting democracy and freedom in the Maldives. He is much loved and respected for his continuous contribution to promoting democracy, press freedom and justice. Gayyoom's government has always worked to eliminate Ilyas. His most recent arrest was last September after the riots in Male'. The government spies on him placed bugs in his telephone in the office to try and convict him. Hon. Ilyas wrote these cases to Gayyoom but to no avail as he does not investigate cases involving his brothers. Gayyoom has no regard for the constitution, as it is a punishable offence by law to intervene in the privacy of people in this manner.

Honourable Members of the Peoples' Special Majlis, Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim, Dr. Hussain Rasheed, Ibrahi Shareef, Ahmed Shafeeg going to the Criminal Court in Justice Building, Male' 20th July 2004

Speaking exclusively to DO today, he said “This is a clear indication of the extent of nepotism in this government. However, I remain undeterred and resolute on serving my people. I have taken the oath to protect the rights of the people of Maldives and that shall always be my fundamental duty”. The majority of the Maldivian people oppose the 26-year tyranny of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom and they are most certainly grateful to the heroism of this member of our little community, who has never been afraid to speak the truth and do the right thing. We salute you and thank you for your determination and courage. May Almighty Allah give you more wisdom and protect you from the evil acts of this tyranny.

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