http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5969411

Thousands Protest for Reform in Maldives Capital

By Lindsay Beck

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Several thousand protesters demonstrated in the Maldives on Friday calling for political reform, in a rare show of dissent in the tiny island nation famed for its palm-fringed beach resorts.

The government called the gathering illegal but vowed to peacefully resolve a protest threatening the strict control President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Asia's longest-serving leader, exerts over the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Gayoom announced reforms in June that sought to address his country's poor human rights record just months after a riot threw a spotlight on simmering unrest, but activists said he had yet to make good on promises of democratization.

"The crowd is still there. It thinned a little from last night, and now there are more since the end of Friday prayers," said Ibrahim Ismail, a member of parliament who has been active in the reform movement. He estimated the crowd at about 3,000. Friday is a holiday in the Muslim-majority nation.

He said the protest began when a group gathered outside a police station in the capital, Male, late on Thursday calling for the release of five reformists detained in the past week.

During the night the crowd swelled to several thousand, and although the five were released, the crowd refused to disperse. Paramilitary troops were watching the protest but had made no move to break it up.

"Gradually, the crowd got angrier and angrier and they started making demands for the immediate resignation of members of cabinet and the police. It just took on a life of its own," Ismail told Reuters.

Government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said members of the crowd had stabbed two police officers, one of whom was seriously wounded. Ismail said only one had been stabbed, by someone planted in the crowd to try to incite violence.

"The concern is that law and order is upheld. The police are determined to resolve this peacefully," Shaheed said, but he added the government considered the protest unlawful.

"According to law, any gathering in which violence is committed is an illegal gathering," he said.

Shaheed said it was difficult for the government to deal with the demonstrators' demands since he said there were a number of different groups assembled, with no coherent agendaBut Ismail said the protesters want to see some sign Gayoom is sincere about his reform pledges in the tourism-dependent country, which has a population of 300,000 on a series of tiny islands often depicted as paradise isles.

Ismail said in response to Gayoom's calls for reform he began a series of public meetings in July but that the government had recently cracked down on the gatherings, refusing to provide venues and in the past week detaining reformists.

"This is not an incident which just happened in a single day. It has been building up," he said.

He said most of the protesters were sitting in the square, with some climbing a flagpole to address the crowd and shouting slogans.

A special assembly called last month to discuss changing the constitution broke up soon after it began over a dispute over how to elect a speaker. It was due to reconvene on Monday and Shaheed said the government wanted to use it to address reforms.

The proposed amendments include allowing the formation of political parties, changing the way the president is elected, setting up a human rights commission and giving the judiciary more independence.

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.

State of Emergency in Maldives as Protest Ends
Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:01 AM ET

By Lindsay Beck

COLOMBO (Reuters) - The Maldives declared a state of emergency on Friday after using tear gas and truncheons to break up thousands of demonstrators making an unprecedented call for political reform in the tiny resort island nation.

Government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said paramilitary forces moved in on the crowd after it torched a government building and tried to charge a police station and that it used minimal force, but activists said the break-up was violent.

"It's over. The NSS (National Security Service) came and chased the people using tear gas and riot gear," said a resident of the capital Male who did not want his name to be used.

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Asia 's longest-serving leader, announced reforms in June that sought to address his country's poor human rights record just months after a riot threw a spotlight on simmering unrest in the nation famed for its palm-fringed beach resorts.

But activists said Gayoom had yet to make good on promises of democratization and took to a square in the capital, Male, on Thursday night to demand the release of five reformists detained in the past week.

During the night the crowd swelled to several thousand, and although the five were released, the crowd refused to disperse through most of Friday until government forces moved in to break up the demonstrators.

A report on the dissident Maldives Culture Web site said police had beaten protesters and arrested a number of reformists, and that police plants in the crowd had incited the violence as an excuse the break up the demonstration.

Shaheed said police arrested about 90 people.

"We were not looking at activists, we are looking at those inciting violence ... A minimal of force was used. I understand only one person was seriously injured and about three to four police have been injured," he said.

One reformist member of parliament said the protesters wanted to see some sign Gayoom was sincere about his reform pledges in tourism-dependent country of 300,000, a string of tiny islands dotted through the Indian Ocean and often depicted as paradise isles.

He said in response to Gayoom's calls for reform he began a series of public meetings in July but that the government had recently cracked down on the gatherings, refusing to provide venues and in the past week detaining reformists.

"This is not an incident which just happened in a single day. It has been building up," he said.

A special assembly called last month to discuss changing the constitution broke up soon after it began over a dispute over how to elect a speaker.

It was due to reconvene on Monday but Shaheed said that was now in question.

"We hope to lift the emergency as soon as we find out which elements were trying to subvert the political process and incite violence," he said, adding the constitutional meeting would likely be on hold until then.

Gayoom's proposed amendments include allowing the formation of political parties, changing the way the president is elected, setting up a human rights commission and giving the judiciary more independence.

The Maldives Culture report said several members of the constitutional assembly were among those arrested.

Reform hopes fade in Maldives
Sat August 14, 2004 02:15 AM ET

By Lindsay Beck

COLOMBO (Reuters) - The Maldives is calm a day after police broke up an unprecedented protest rally, but activists said hopes President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom would make good on promises of democratic reforms had faded.

A state of emergency was declared indefinitely on Friday after paramilitary forces moved in on thousands of protesters who had gathered for hours in the capital, demanding change to the autocratic rule in the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago.

"In the immediate future, I don't think anything is possible. When the Maldives government cracks down, they crack down. I think any more demonstration is highly unlikely," said one resident who was involved in the protest and did not want to be named.

The government said 90 people were arrested and residents complained that police beat protesters to break up the rally.

The nation is one of the world's premier sun and sand tourist destinations, with luxury hotels and white sand beaches dotted across the archipelago.

Violence in the archipelago is rare, but a riot last year highlighted simmering discontent with the nearly three-decade rule of Gayoom, Asia 's longest-serving leader.

In response to the riot and growing calls for reform from human rights groups, Gayoom announced a programme of democratisation in June that would allow political parties, strengthen parliament and give the judiciary more independence.

But a special assembly, or majlis, called to discuss the changes broke up shortly after it began last month. It was due to re-convene on Monday but that was now on hold, with several of its members arrested in Friday's crackdown.

"He (Gayoom) promised this, but he conducted only half a session. So the people, the general public, they have no faith. And now this has happened with so many People's Majlis members arrested it is highly unlikely it will go as promised," the resident said.

He said demonstrators -- who gathered initially to call for the release of five reformists but then stayed on with wider demands for change -- were disappointed that Gayoom had not addressed the crowd.

"There was not even any message," he said.

A statement on the president's Web site said the state of emergency had been necessary after the protest turned violent.

"The mob comprised various unruly elements of society, and a considerably large number curious bystanders. The mob made various ad hoc demands, including the release of a number of criminals," it said.

Government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said paramilitaries were still in the capital but in small numbers, and that shops were open and people in the street.

He said due process would be applied to the 90 people he estimated were arrested on Friday in the nation of just 300,000.

But residents said police had beaten protesters, and activists who had not already been jailed were staying in their homes, fearful of arrest.

State Of Emergency Slapped In Maldives After Protests

Male, August 14 (NNN): A state of emergency has been slapped in the island nation of Maldives , after violence protests by thousands of people for more democracy and the release of political prisoners. Four police officers were reportedly stabbed and about 50 arrests made during the protests.

An indefinite curfew was imposed in the capital, Male, after police used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Announcing the imposition of emergency, government spokesman Dr Ahmed Shaheed said the emergency was declared on Friday after a rare show of dissent in the one-party nation turned violent.

The spokesman added: "We hope to lift the emergency as soon as we find out which elements were trying to subvert the political process and incite violence."

The protests began when a group gathered outside the national police headquarters in Male demanding the release of four reformists detained in the past week.

As more people joined the protesters after Friday prayers in this Islamic country, the authorities decided to release the reformists.

However, the gesture failed to pacify the pro-democracy activists who started to demand the immediate resignation of hardline ministers in the Maumoon Abdul Gayoom cabinet and the Male police commissioner.

As the crowd became more restive, the police baton-charged the protesters.

The police action sparked off a riot, with protesters stabbing four police officers and setting ablaze some government buildings.

By evening, the government declared a state of emergency

State radio announced certain rights of citizens had been suspended and that people were banned from demonstrating or expressing views critical of the government.

It is worth mentioning here that anti-government protests demanding democratic reforms broke out in the island nation for the first time last year.

According to observers the recent incident appears to be another sign of increasing frustration with the slow pace of political reform in the Maldives .

President Gayoom has suggested changes to the constitution which would limit his powers and permit political parties in the country. Opponents of the government say it is responsible for arbitrary arrests, detention without trial and torture in prison.

The government says there is no repression and that it has no political prisoners in its jails.

Political parties are banned in the Maldives , where President Gayoom has ruled for 25 years.

The emergency order gives President Gayoom the power to suspend the constitution and take any steps necessary to maintain peace.

Vague d'arrestations aux Maldives après des manifestations pour la démocratie

MALE (AFP),
le 15-08-2004

Près de 200 personnes ont été arrêtées aux Maldives où l'état d'urgence a été proclamé après des manifestations en faveur de la démocratie dans cet archipel touristique de l'Océan Indien, ont déclaré dimanche des responsables.

Selon la radio nationale, 185 personnes ont été arrêtées par la police et les services de sécurité après des manifestations vendredi dans la capitale, Malé, contre le régime de parti unique du président Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, au pouvoir sans interruption depuis plus d'un quart de siècle.

Le site internet de la présidence ne précise pas le nombre d'arrestations mais assure que les détenus seront jugés.

Les rues de Malé étaient calmes dimanche, avec les magasins ouverts et le gouvernement demandant aux écoles et administrations de fonctionner dans cet archipel musulman de 1.200 îles pour 270.000 habitants.

Le palais présidentiel était toutefois fortement gardé sur le front de mer et ses accès bloqués.

Les services officiels des télécommunications ont aussi coupé les accès internet et les messageries sur téléphones portables (SMS) pour empêcher les militants pro-démocratie de contacter l'extérieur, ont rapporté des journalistes.

Le téléphone fonctionnait mais des habitants ont dit craindre d'être écoutés.

Des dizaines de personnes avaient été hospitalisées vendredi après que la police eut dispersé à coups de bâtons et de gaz lacrymogènes les manifestants, qui réclamaient la libération de prisonniers politiques.

L'état d'urgence a été décrété pour une durée indéterminée à Malé et dans les îles voisines, conférant des pouvoirs étendus aux forces de l'ordre, avait déclaré samedi la présidence. Un couvre-feu avait été mis en place dans la capitale après les troubles.

Le président Goyoom a assuré qu'un "minimum de force" avait été utilisé pour disperser les manifestations et que les principaux instigateurs avaient été identifiés et arrêtés.

Selon des responsables, un ancien procureur général, Mohammed Munavvar, et un ex secrétaire d'un groupement des pays d'Asie du sud (SAARC), Ibrahim Zaki, figurent parmi les personnes arrêtées.

La présidence a assuré que la police avait tenté de contenir la foule pendant 17 heures vendredi mais avait dû intervenir après que les manifestants eurent incendié un bâtiment, poignardé deux policiers et tenté d'envahir le siège de la police.

M. Gayoon a favorisé le tourisme haut de gamme dans l'archipel, ce qui a permis une forme de développement. Mais il y effectue son sixième mandat présidentiel de cinq ans depuis 1978 et se heurte à des critiques croissantes pour son interdiction du multipartisme et de toute forme d'opposition.

Le président avait déjà fait face à des émeutes sans précédent à Malé en septembre dernier après la mort d'un détenu en prison.

Il avait alors proposé des réformes timides et une assemblée de 108 membres a été élu en juin pour rédiger une nouvelle Constitution.

Le Parti démocratique des Maldives, basé au Sri Lanka voisin, a dit que des policiers s'étaient rendus au domicile de certains de ses membres qui avaient été battus et menacés.

Il a appelé la communauté internationale à réagir et l'Inde a exprimé son inquiétude.

Vol. 5 Num 82

Maldives detains MPs, ex-Saarc secy gen
Emergency rule continues, curfew eases
AFP, BBC Online, Male

A curfew in the capital of the Maldives was eased but parliament sessions were put off indefinitely and emergency rule continued following last week's riots, officials and residents said.

State television in the Indian Ocean atoll nation, a luxury tourist destination, said yesterday the curfew now came into force in Male at 11.30pm, two hours later.

Shops, offices and schools also opened yesterday in a sign of a return to normality after Friday's unrest linked to pressure on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to bring in democratic reforms.

Scores of people suspected of being anti-government activists were kept in custody. The authorities said 185 suspects were detained, but activists put the figure much higher.

Among those detained were Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, former secretary general of the seven-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and a parliament member and former Maldives attorney general, Mohammed Munavvar and four other parliament members. The detained members of Citizens' Special Majlis (MPs) are Ibrahim Ismail, Gasim Ibrahim, Mohamed Shihab and Dr. Mohamed Munawwar.

Four dissidents wanted by the government were arrested overnight, residents said. However, there was no confirmation from the police or the National Security Service, which is spearheading the crackdown.

The parliament announced overnight that its regular sittings would not be held and gave no reason for the indefinite postponement, but residents said at least five members of parliament had been arrested for supporting dissent.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is campaigning for a multi-party democracy in the tiny, one-party nation, said Gayoom loyalists continued to intimidate the population.

"My daughter has been beaten up in prison," MDP spokesman in Colombo , Mohamed Latheef, told AFP. "They feel they have brought the situation under control and they can now do anything they want."

The MDP called on the international community to take action to prevent the country of 270,000 Sunni Muslims from slipping into chaos after a state of emergency was imposed Saturday.

The unrest in the capital caused no disruption to tourism, the archipelago's main foreign exchange earner, residents said.

Holidaymakers who visit the Maldives are usually ferried from the airport island to resorts by boat or seaplane without having to go through the capital island of Male .

In the highly congested capital, home to 80,000 people, Gayoom's sea-front palace continued to be tightly guarded with two heavy military vehicles parked across the main road to prevent cars entering the area.

Gayoom has ruled the Maldives since 1978, turning the once fishing nation of 1,192 coral islands into a prosperous upscale tourist spot.

But he has faced mounting criticism at home and abroad for failing to tolerate any opposition. He began cautious reforms after an unprecedented riot in Male last September triggered by the death of an inmate at a nearby prison.

Dozens were hospitalised Friday when police fired teargas and used sticks and batons to break up a protest calling for the release of political prisoners.

Amnesty International appealed to the Maldives to abide by human rights in looking after detainees.

Tue. August 17, 2004

AIN’T NO BEACH PARADISE

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of the Maldives -- Asia ’s longest-serving leader -- announced a program of political liberalization in June, less than a year after a riot in the capital, Male, highlighted discontent with his autocratic rule. A special assembly called to debate the changes had been due to convene on Monday, but several of its members were taken into custody following a pro democracy demonstration late last week and a subsequent government crackdown. “So far none of the parliament members who were arrested have been released,” said a resident of Male who was involved in the demonstration and asked not to be named for fear of reprisals in the nation best known as a holiday paradise for its coral islands dotted through the Indian Ocean .

Opposition politician Mohamed Latheef, a Sri-Lanka-based member of the Maldivian Democratic Party -- which says it cannot function in the Maldives -- called for a tourism boycott in the country where arrivals hit a record high of 500,000 last year in the nation of only 300,000 citizens. “I am very angry with the Western world. They see all the reports in the papers and they are not taking enough action,” Latheef told a news conference. “We are very clearly asking Western countries to warn their people ... where you are resting on he beach, there is blood.” He said the reform agenda could not be pushed forward as long as Gayoom, who has led the country since 1978, was in power. “This man Gayoom has got to go. There is no way otherwise to have constitutional reform.” Latheef added, “It has always been a police state and now it is more so than ever.

Activists said they gathered last Thursday to press Gayoom to make good on reform promises, but the government accused demonstrators of attempting to destabilize the country. At least 200 people, including a former attorney general and a former minister were arrested. Dozens were hospitalized when police fired teargas and used sticks and batons to disperse the crowd of over 5000. “There was so much blood at the Republic Square. I saw scores of men and women fallen. I don’t think they will survive. It was like Tiananmen,” a witness said. Many were demanding the release of some pro-reform activists arrested earlier were tear-gassed. The subsequent release of the prisoners did not appease the protestors, who demanded the immediate resignation of several ministers and the Male city police chief. Instead, the government launched a crackdown on the activists, and declared a state of emergency. The emergency order gives President Gayoom the power to suspend the constitution and take whatever steps he thinks are necessary "to maintain peace."

Amnesty International said it is deeply concerned at reports of large numbers of injured people needing hospital treatment after the police used sticks and batons to attack them during the demonstrations. The organization is urging the government to adhere to international human rights standards and is calling on the government to ensure the safety and security of those taken into custody, after emerging reports of security forces beating those in detention.

The state-run telecommunications authority has cut off Internet access and short message services (SMS) on mobile phones to prevent pro-democracy activists in the country contacting people outside. Telephone services were operating, but residents said they feared the authorities had tapped phones and were listening in.

The declaration of emergency rule for the capital is the second major crackdown in Maldives this year, coming exactly six months after a series of early morning raids on Maldivian Democratic party supporters in February.

Since then, the reform movement has grown significantly in numbers and sophistication. Elections for a Special Majlis, to prepare changes to the constitution, saw many democratic reformers selected in the atolls and the capital, and large meetings in Male' have consolidated public understanding and support for the reforms. Now everything is in jeopardy of being reversed. Sources: Khaleej Times, Rediff, International Herald Tribune, News 24 ( South Africa ), Miadhu Daily News ( Maldives ), Maldives Culture, Amnesty International

26.08.2004:

Ausnahmezustand im Touristenparadies

Die Malediven haben nicht nur mit den Problemen des steigenden Meeresspiegels zu kämpfen

Nach einer Demonstration Oppositioneller hat die Regierung der Malediven den Ausnahmezustand über das Urlaubsparadies verhängt. Das bestätigte das Büro von Präsident Abdul Gayoom. Die Polizei hatte eine Demonstration vor dem Polizei-Hauptquartier in der Hauptstadt Male gewaltsam aufgelöst, bei der die Freilassung von vier Oppositionellen gefordert wurde. Die Menschenrechtsorganisation Amnesty International teilte mit, es habe sich um friedliche Proteste gehandelt. Der Präsident sprach dagegen von einem gewalttätigen Mob. Die indische Zeitung „The Hindu“ berichtete unter Berufung auf das Außenministerium in Neu Delhi, Indien sei besorgt über die Situation in dem Nachbarland. Amnesty International kritisierte, die Demonstranten seien in Polizeigewahrsam geschlagen worden. Unter den zwölf Festgenommenen seien ein Oppositionsführer und der Sohn eines politischen Gefangenen.

Gayoom regiert die muslimische Bevölkerung der Malediven seit 26 Jahren und ist damit länger als jeder andere Regierungs- und Staatschef in Asien im Amt. Kritiker werfen ihm einen totalitären Regierungsstil vor und fordern demokratische Reformen. Im September vergangenen Jahres kam es in Male zu schweren Ausschreitungen. Die Malediven mit ihren 318.000 Einwohnern bestehen aus rund 1.200 Inseln, auf einigen wurden Luxus-Urlaubsressorts gebaut. Die Inselkette gilt auf bei vielen deutschen Touristen als Tauchparadies.

Zur Geschichte der Inselgruppe Die Besiedlung der Malediven fand ihren Anfang im 5. Jahrhundert v. Chr., als sich buddhistische Fischer aus Indien und der Insel Ceylon (dem heutigen Sri Lanka) auf den Inseln niederließen. Im 12. Jahrhundert errichteten arabische Kaufleute ein Sultanat auf den Inseln und führten den Islam ein. In der zweiten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts versuchten die Portugiesen eine ständige Niederlassung auf den Inseln zu errichten, daraufhin kam es zu einem Guerillakrieg, in dem die Portugiesen scheiterten. Erst im 17. Jahrhundert schaffte es ein europäisches Land, die Inseln zu unterwerfen. Die Niederlande machten aus dem maledivischen Sultanat ein Protektorat, nachdem sie auch schon Ceylon besetzt hatten. Im Jahre 1754 kamen die Malediven unter französische Besatzung. Im Jahre 1932 erhielten die Malediven ihre erste Verfassung von Sultan Mohammed Schamsudin III. 1942 errichtete Großbritannien einen Militärflughafen auf der Insel Gan. 1953 kam es zur Ausrufung der Republik. Daraufhin übernahm ein Verwandter des Sultans das Präsidentenamt. Nach einer Volksabstimmung wurde jedoch wieder das Sultanat eingeführt. Mohammed Farid Didi wurde erneut Sultan. Drei Jahre später, 1956, erhielten die Malediven innere Autonomie. Jedoch errichteten die Briten weitere Militärflughäfen. 1963 traten die Malediven dem Colombo-Plan bei. Zwei Jahre später wurden die Malediven unabhängig. Per Verfassungsänderung wurde 1968 das Sultanat in eine Republik umgewandelt.

Somit kam es zum Ende der über 250 Jahre langen Herrschaft der Didi. Amir Ibrahim Nasir wurde Staats- und Regierungschef. Ein Jahr später wurde die Republik unter dem Namen Malediven erneut ausgerufen. Ab 1972 begann die Zeit des Massentourismus auf den Inseln. Außerdem wurden in diesem Jahr die Ämter des Staatsoberhauptes und des Regierungschefs getrennt. Drei Jahre später wurde das Amt des Regierungschef wieder abgeschafft. Der Präsident übernahm dieses Amt. 1976 verließen die Briten das Land endgültig, da ihre 30-jährige Nutzungszeit der Militärflughäfen abgelaufen war.

1982 treten die Malediven dem Commonwealth bei. In der Hauptstadt Malé fand 1989 eine internationale Konferenz anlässlich der Bedrohung der Inseln durch den steigenden Meeresspiegel statt. Im Januar 1998 trat eine neue Verfassung in Kraft. Regierungsform blieb die Präsidialrepublik. Der Staatspräsident und Regierungschef hat die uneingeschränkte Macht über die Exekutive. Er wird von einem Einkammerparlament, der Madschlis, auf fünf Jahre gewählt, das aus 50 Mitgliedern besteht, von denen 42 gewählt sind und acht vom Präsidenten eingesetzt. Nach der Wahl muss sich der Präsident noch einer Volksabstimmung stellen. Auf den Malediven gibt es keine Parteien, obwohl deren Bildung erlaubt ist. Außerdem gibt es Grundrechte wie die freie Entfaltung der Persönlichkeit und die Redefreiheit innerhalb der muslimischen Regeln.

Die 26 Atolle der Malediven sind in 20 Distrikte unterteilt. Verwaltet werden sie von den Atollchefs, die vom Präsidenten ernannt werden. Der Bezirk um die Hauptstadt Malé steht unter direkter Verwaltung der Regierung. (IZ/dpa/wikipedia)