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Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim; intimidated by the government in the last election

By Mariyam Mohamed, 24th June 2004

The long suffering democratic reform advocate and a man of the people Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim now a Member of the Special Majlis for Ari Atoll South.

DO can reveal that Ilyas was detained just before the recent elections for more than 6 hours at a stretch by the Election Commissioner because of a misprint in the government controlled Aafathis Daily News Paper in which he published his election pledges.

His slogan translates to "I am a Politician not a Poet". The slogan which was published by Aafathis was "I am not a rich man but I swear upon God to be honest". Because of this he was interrogated and intimidated by the Election Commissioner Rashad and detained at the Election Commissioners' Office. One might wonder if this is legal. Is there due process of law in Maldives as claimed by the Government Spokesman Mr. Waheed on 14th February 2004, whilst defending the unlawful arrests of several reformist in Male'?

Mr. Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim said that he was terrorised and told by the commissioner that he could go ahead with the campaign but the problem was still not over. He was also asked to sign a declaration at the Commissioners Office. He was allowed to do this only after Aafathis published an apology with regard to the misprint on 6th of May 2004 as shown below.

Translation

"The publication in Aafathis in the name of Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim read " I am not a rich man but I swear upon God to be honest" was printed by error.
Therefore, we profusely apologise from Mr. Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim and the readers for this error.
Aafathis"

Gayyoom claims that elections in the Maldives are free and fair. Several such incidents have occurred but most people cannot openly report this because they are afraid of the consequences. DO also has information that many officials of Atolls Administration has been suspended for supporting pro-reform candidates in the last election.

"If this was not terror and intimidation, what is?" said Mr. Ilyas Ibrahim. He further claims that this was a hindrance to his campaign which he won with a large majority despite the difficulties the government was placing on him.

Ilyas Hussain's campaign flier

Ilyas Hussain's letter to President Gayyoom - 20 June 2004

Ilyas Hussain's letter to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives - 21 June 2004

http://www.eom.gov.mv/