:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Birth of Democracy in the Maldives

Dhivehi Observer Editorial Board - 19th July 2004

A clear message of Demos Kratis (peoples' rule) was sent to Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom today by the courageous Maldivian Members of the Parliament who in an unprecedented and a historic move, walked out of the Parliament in protest of the attempt by cabinet Ministers to undermine the Constitution of the Maldives.

After the much self-acclaimed declaration by the President to amend the constitution, the president appears to try and absolve himself from the atrocities committed under his rule in the last 26 years. This final attempt of absolution was today shattered when his brother who has actively undermined the constitution of the country in the past took another attempt to try his tested methods of intimidation on the newly elected MP's by declaring the the ballot for the election of the President (Speaker) of the Special Majlis will be conducted "according to tradition" by a show of hands in clear violation of the constitution.

No self respecting person would believe Hameed when he says that "tradition" is more important than upholding the constitution of the country, since this tradition was only created before to intimidate MP's who might vote against the the government.

The chief government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said today to BBC "There is no need to hold a secret ballot because allegations that members of the assembly may be intimidated are simply not true."

Again all reformists are faced with the now clichéd Gayyoom phrase of "simply not true". The truth is after 26 years of fear and intimidation, Maldives people had enough. As the MP's walked out of the Parliament house, people in the thousands gathered around the MP's.

This large unplanned gathering made its way to the President's office to voice their concerns. Reports say there were more than 3000 people in the area at the time strongly supporting the protest by their Members of the Parliament. Under deferent circumstances the government would have labelled the protest as conducted by a group of criminals had it not been led my the peoples elected MP's. The fact that the international community is more keenly observing the Maldives political drama unfold in another reason why the Gayyoom government cannot do this.

Of the thousands of people that gathered today to protest, there is not a single report of disorder or violence. This goes to show that Maldivians are patient and peace loving people.

Dhivehi Observer would like to congratulate the MP's for not compromising their integrity and their oath that they had taken not to undermine the constitution and to serve the people to the best of their abilities. They are truly Maldivian heroes!

Dhivehi Observer asks for Abdullah Hameed's immediate resignation from all government positions. If he refuses to resign, Gayyoom should prove that his promises to the people are not just words. He should follow it with deeds.

If Gayyoom has an ounce of credibility left, he should remove his brother from the countless government positions that he hold (Minister of Atolls Development, Speaker of the General Majlis, etc.) Hameed's case should be determined by the Rule of Law where he should be subjected to due process. It is our belief that he should be charged with High treason according to the current constitution of the country (Article 12).

It appears that before Hameed is removed not much good may come out of this important national exercise of amending the constitutional and this might still end up being a sham.

A Picture is worth more than a thousand words