Gayyoom is a loser :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial

Gayyoom is a loser

DO Editorial Board, A. S. I. Moosa (Sappe'), 7 November 2006

Gayyoom's military campaign against the democracy rallies in Male' is further proof that the Maldives dictator is refusing to allow any real democracy in the country. Claims by Gayyoom and his well-paid supporters, that the democrats will be violent, are transparent lies.

Leading democracy reformers have been viciously attacked for years in Maldives by both Gayyoom's National Security Service (NSS) and by gangs of street thugs organised by Gayyoom and his relatives who hold ministerial positions in the dictator's personally selected cabinet. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) offices and the houses of reformers have been attacked and their vehicles burnt. The son of MDP leader Ibrahim Hussain Zaki was stabbed in broad daylight. The NSS police publicly assaulted Mohamed (Anni) Nasheed as they took him to court on fake terrorism charges. Female democracy leaders and supporters have been raped in NSS custody. Some male members of the movement have also been raped by NSS personnel. The capital Male' and other islands, particularly in the southern atolls Huvadhu and Addu, have endured NSS rampages against men, women and children. ‘Fuck you bastards! We can do what we want!' the NSS scream in Dhivehi language as they terrorise the country's major population centres.

No member of the security services has been charged with offences against MDP members and other islanders, even though the NSS (now split into police and military sections) keeps constant surveillance over the population and opposition leaders. Only a naive fool would believe Gayyoom and his fellow NSS commanders are not behind these crimes.

The democracy demonstrations in Male' this week are not just a response to Gayyoom's violence, but also a public protest about the lack of genuine reform in the country. Legal reform bills in the People's majlis and the special constitutional majlis have been stopped completely by Gayyoom's bribed rump of appointed members. After years of meetings, neither assembly has passed a single meaningful reform.

Gayyoom's new attorney-general has admitted publicly there is no real legal system in Maldives. The previous attorney-general has become a prominent member of the opposition.

Gayyoom's judges continue to conduct courts like a circus. They accept laughable allegations from the NSS, and treat defense evidence and the legal process with contempt. They ring the President's office for instructions before delivering their verdicts.

Despite constant provocation and callous beatings from the NSS, the democracy movement has maintained its integrity and promises to the Maldivian people, and has refused to resort to the same tactics against the dictatorship. Arson, torture, assault, rape and organized harassment are the domain of Gayyoom and his small band of followers.

It is to the credit of the American and British governments that their ambassadors in Maldives have publicly supported this week's demonstration and the aims of the MDP. The European Union is also a vocal critic of the Gayyoom dictatorship. Maldivians will not forget the friends who have helped them during their struggle for freedom.

Gayyoom has no long-term strategy to counter the democracy movement. His violence may seem to win on a particular day, but in the battle for Maldivian hearts and minds, Gayyoom is a loser.