:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

MDP Councillor Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki is nominated for European Parliament Sakharov Prize

Hon Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, is a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party Governing Council. Mr. Zaki was a former Minister of the Gayoom's Cabinet and was sidelined after his support for pluralistic democracy and strengthening civil society. Formerly Mr. Zaki was also the Secretary General of SAARC.

Since his departure from Gayoom's cabinet Mr. Zaki has been working tirelessly with the Maldivian Democratic Party in their advocacy for the establishment of a sustainable democracy in the Maldives. Mr. Zaki's peaceful political activity has attracted the wrath of the regime in the Maldives. Most notable that of the senior regime minders, such as Mr. Gayoom, the President, Mr. F. Jameel, the Foreign Minister and Brigadier General Adam Zahir, the Chief of Police. In the last few months Mr. Zaki has experienced a barrage of verbal abuse and an arson attempt on his residence all instigated by the regime minders in the Maldives.

On 13 th August 2004, soon after the brutal crack down of the pro-democracy demonstration in Male', the capital of Maldives , Mr. Zaki was taken under police custody. He has no access for legal representation and has reportedly been badly ill-treated.

Mrs. Zaki was allowed to meet her husband for half an hour on the 26 th September 2004, more than 40 days after his detention. Well-wishers of Mr. Zaki's family say that his condition is very bad and he looks dejected and broken. Raising concern over the appalling human rights record of the regime of Mr. Gayoom, rights groups such as the Amnesty International have repeatedly called upon Government of Maldives to desist from torture and inhuman treatment of detainees and prisoners.

The regime of Mr. Gayoom holds on to power through intimidation and torture. Mr. Zaki, undoubtedly a possible leader of the country, is a victim of a long line of such cases and the Maldivian Democratic Party welcomes the decision by the European Union Parliamentarians to nominate Mr. Zaki as a candidate for its prestigious 2004 Sakhariov prize.

Each year since 1988 the European Parliament has awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to individuals or organisations who have made an important contribution to the fight for human rights in their country. Named in honour of the Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, the prize gives recognition to people who have fought against oppression and injustice.

On 5 October 2004, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee will choose a shortlist of three candidates from the list of eleven nominees. This list will be forwarded to the EP Conference of Presidents, which will select the winner. The prize will then be awarded at a ceremony on 14 December 2004 at Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg .