:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Gayyoom addressed the Parliament today

Mariyam Mohamed, 26th August 2004, Male'

The Parliament of the Maldives met today for the first time since the declaration of the state of emergency on Friday 13^th August 2004. Gayyoom announced the state of emergency to quell the pro-reform demonstrators who demanded more democracy and freedom and called for his resignation among others.

This agenda of this assembly was mainly to discuss the salary of the member of the parliament and that of the Peoples’ Sepcial Majlis. However, in the opening statement, the Speaker of the Majlis announced that the President will be addressing the session. Soon after, Gayyoom arrived and he addressed the parliament to explain the state of the emergency and details of the Black Friday 13^th arrests. He mentioned that this was an attempt to oust him and derail the democratic process that he initiated last June. Furthermore, he gave some details of the specific articles which have been suspended as per the Emergency Rule, which he assumed. Some of the articles which have been suspended are Article 15 (d), Article 16 (2) and Article (20). For reference these are outlined below.

15 (d) No person charged with an offence shall be kept in detention for a period exceeding seven days except as provided by law.

16 (2) Every person who is charged with an offence shall have the right to defend himself in accordance with Shari’ah. To this effect, such a person shall be allowed to obtain the assistance of a lawyer whenever such assistance is required.

20. Letters, messages, telephonic conversations and such other means of communication shall be inviolable. Such letters, messages, telephonic conversations and other means of communication shall not be intercepted, read, listened to or divulged except as expressly provided by law.

According to the informant, the parliament members responded to the speech by condemning the incident. Some members however did express concern over the use of excessive force by the NSS.

People of Maldives has been let down by the Parliament, which is always used as a rubber stamp for Gayyoom’s activites.

According to Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, Gayyoom has also suspended the rights of children as well as other basic human rights. Legal experts say that Gayyoom declared the state of emergency unconstitutionally. They say that basic human rights are inalienable.

This was yet another attempt of undermining the constitution of the Maldives by Gayyoom.

Below is the Presidential Press Release with regard to his address today, which made no reference to the suspended articles of the constitution; just goes to show how much he controls information from the public.

http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/v3/pages/News.php3?NewsID=2462

The President says the mob at Jumhooree Miadhaan were not pro-democracy activists
To disrupt the economy is to impoverish and suppress the people, says the President

26 August 2004

The President today said that the mob which had gathered in Jumhooree Maidhaan on 12th and 13th August were not pro-democracy activists. He made the statement while addressing the People’s Majlis, today to brief Members on the mob violence that took place at the Maidhaan.

The President noted that some sections of the international media were falsely projecting the people who gathered on that day as “pro-democracy activists”. He said that people who desired democracy would not be armed with knives and other sharp objects, stab unarmed policemen, torch a public building or attempt to charge the country’s law enforcement headquarters. He went on to say that pro-democracy activists would not instigate a prison breakout and have fugitives come to Male’ with weapons, or have convicted criminals violate house arrest to join the mob. He said that these were not the actions of people who want to bring greater democracy.

The President said that the majority of the people of the country wanted democratic reforms to be implemented in a thoughtful and smooth manner.

Further, the President said that the Maldives was open to external influences and domestic unrest would make it even more vulnerable to exploitation and destabilisation by opportunists abroad.

The President said that a few Maldivian citizens residing abroad, in partnership with some foreign elements, were openly engaging in a smear campaign to disrupt the country’s economy. He noted that to disrupt the economy would be to impoverish and suppress the people, and destroy the future of the children and the youth. He pointed out that people who loved their nation and had the welfare of the people in their heart would not even think about conducting such a smear campaign.

The President said that the full picture of the incident of 12th and 13th August would become clear once the investigations are completed, but noted that there were certain matters apparent that raised serious concern. He added that one of these matters was the evidence of collusion, in gathering the mob, among a few fringe groups who were acting against the public interest. He further said that elements in the mob included religious extremists and dangerous felons.

The President said that investigations into the incident were continuing and that he had appointed a 3-member ministerial committee to oversee the investigations. He said that the committee had been entrusted with ensuring that the investigations were conducted properly in accordance with laws and regulations.

The President said that he hoped to lift the State of Emergency soon.

Press Release reference number: 2004-501