The year 2005 will be remembered as the year of extensive brutalities against public by dictator Gayyoom :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

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The year 2005 will be remembered as the year of extensive brutalities against public by dictator Gayyoom

By Hassan Thakuru, 29 December 2005

The year 2005 has certainly been one of the toughest yet in Maldives for pro activists of democracy. It will be remembered as the year of extensive police brutalities against public. I take it rather as a time for reflection and clear-sighted realism about how far the nation has progressed on the path towards freedom and democracy, and how much farther we still have to go. On this basis I have to acknowledge the following:

For the vast majority of Maldivians the struggle to survive has never been more problematic. Leaving aside the ruling elite who continues to wallow in obscene wealth (stolen from the nation) for most of us each of the last 27 years of the deepening crisis have presented ever-greater difficulties. 2005 was no exception. Spiralling inflation, increasing homelessness and unemployment and the near collapse of the economy and educational sectors have added to the miseries.

Thousand of Tsunami victims are still living in temporary shelters. Dictator uses countries wealth illegally and his associates while those families who sacrificed in Tsunami a real home in the year 2006 is still maybe a dream.

The year 2005 also brought a number of setbacks for the progressive, pro-democracy forces in Maldives. Many human rights and pro democracy activists have been in and out of jail while some of them are still remains in custody.

The Year 2005 will also be remembered as countless brave men and women have sacrificed so much because of their different opinions about dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. Including some who have laid down their lives and many more who suffered torture and abuse by dictator's own militia.

This is a tragedy of immense proportions. Indeed in the light of the huge damage inflicted on the cause of freedom and democracy. I find the cavalier attitude of dictator Gayyoom truly astounding. In comparison to the fracturing of the anti-dictator opposition the retrogressive amendments to the constitution and further shrinking of the little remaining democratic space pale into insignificance.

Directly linked to these negative factors I have seen hope dip to an all-time low. While the haemorrhage of many of the nation's most able and experienced citizens into the vast Maldivians Diaspora continues, for those remaining it becomes increasingly difficult not to give way to despair. Feeling defeated and deflated, what cause do we have to celebrate 2005 a year of national unity? Moreover even were we in the mood for celebrating, which we are not, we would have precious little to celebrate with.

Such is the reality of present-day life in Maldives. It is as if the country was suffering a prolonged eclipse of the sun, leaving it in shadow for so long that many Maldivians have come to believe that the present suffering and misery is their inescapable lot - for ever. In fact of course the suffering is neither natural nor inevitable. It is rather the direct result of years of dictator Gayyoom's miss-rule. To continue the metaphor of the eclipse, it is as if, in an act of breath-taking arrogance, Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom and his conniving, exploitative and manipulative cohorts have deliberately placed themselves between the sun and the earth - between the source of life, health and prosperity and the people for whom that rich abundance was intended.

At such a time as this it is very easy to give way to despair. It is my hope and the hope for democracy and peace for our country; those pro democracy movements will stay in their cause undefeated in the year 2006. It is also my hope for our countries future, that those pro democracy activists will not plan their escape from the hell hole which dictator Gayyoom has created, to what they imagine is the safe haven of life in India, Europe or America. Hopefully others who remained will not try to bury their heads in the sand, and some few, incredibly, still try to strike a deal with the dictator - like Mr. Gasim Ibrahim and the few business tycoons who foolishly thought that they could preserve their privileged way of life so long as they paid their "dues" to the ruling party.

It's called riding on the back of the tiger and it never was recommended as a health sport - never mind the moral implications of compromising with a thoroughly corrupt (and corrupting) regime.

Yet every such act of despair, escapism or compromise only strengthens the hand of the dictator and prolongs the agony of those whom he holds hostage.

What this dark hour in the nation's history calls for rather is a heroic spirit of defiance. Rather than surrendering to dictator Gayyoom's brutal tyranny (or accepting the solar eclipse as a permanent fact) let Maldivians make a defiant stand for the truth, for freedom, justice and peace. Let each one of us make our personal act of protest and defiance - and let us take up our position, shoulder to shoulder, in the struggle.

Nelson Mandela reminds us "there is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires."

That is a salutary warning, but also a challenge to those who have glimpsed the mountaintop and are simply not prepared to curl up and die in the "valley of the shadow of death".

Given there is no quick fix and therefore it will be a long haul to freedom. We have to look to civic society to unite as never before and to show us the way forwards. Up to this point, despite the heroic acts of some, civic society has not demonstrated its true potential in mobilizing the nation for change. This is because we have allowed ourselves to be fragmented. But if any group is to raise the standard of integrity and principle and hold the politicians to account it must surely be civic society - the human rights campaigners, women's groups, students and others, co-ordinated and organised behind MDP for freedom and democracy for our beloved nation. MDP is the right ingredient, I would say, clearly and unambiguously committed to achieving radical change by any means.

Lets make this as our vision for 2006.

In continuing to expose abuses of power and privilege, injustice and oppression, wherever we find them. Along with those brave MDP leadership and human rights activists who report fairly and objectively (and at great risk to themselves), we see it as our primary role to hold up a mirror to the nation of Maldives so that we, and the world, may see what we have allowed ourselves to become under the corrupting and destructive hand of Gayyoomis.

In positively and pro-actively promoting an open and public discourse about the range of non-violent means to be employed to rid us of the present suffocating dictatorship and to manage the transition to a democratic state under fully accountable leadership.

In facilitating the change through the use of bold and imaginative symbolic acts which demonstrate the spirit of defiance to unjust rule and encourage others to put aside their fears and commit to the struggle. In supporting and encouraging those individuals and groups who will make common cause with us in the struggle to win our freedom.

Others who share the vision of a free and democratic Maldives and share also our passion to hasten the dawn of that new day, will no doubt have different roles to play towards that end. We welcome the part each has to play in the struggle. We affirm each individual and group walking alongside us on "the long walk to freedom". We celebrate the diversity of gifts to be found among our brothers and sisters equally engaged in the struggle.

MDP is not a religious group or Christian missionaries. MDP is the people of Maldives like you and me.

Lets give a sharp warning to tyrants! Lets send Gayyoom and his accomplices to Hell. Lets defeat the tyranny; lets make 2006 a year of joy.

Forward with Maldivian Democratic Party. Forward with freedom and democracy. Forward with our country with no violence and tyranny. Let the humble poor of Maldives, including the hundreds of thousands of victims of Devil Gayyoom rejoice. Let all those who, in "hunger and thirst for justice to see right prevail".

The eclipse will not last forever. Already the Light is breaking through!

May Allah Bless Our Country Amen.