Maldives welcomes constructive engagement with Amnesty International

The Government of Maldives on Thursday responded to the publication of Amnesty International's annual report by “welcoming” Amnesty’s continued interest in the Maldives' progress toward democracy.

Briefing the press on the report's contents, Chief Government Spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef expressed his satisfaction that the report refers to the release of Naushad Waheed and Ahmed Didi, as well as the Maldives’ accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Optional Protocol to the ICCPR and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

Shareef stressed that, whilst the report contains some elements of criticism, it also recognises that hold-ups in the pace of constitutional reform relate in part to “disruptive moves from the opposition”. He commented: “We are pleased that Amnesty has recognised the nature of the work we are doing on our Constitution and are encouraged that they are beginning to understand the complexity of the political situation.”

Shareef continued: “It is also important to understand that the report focuses solely on the calendar year to December 2006. Since then, the Government has taken concrete steps to further improve its record. The Government has passed a Civil Service Bill which establishes an independent and autonomous Civil Service Commission, demarking Government jobs from political jobs. Further, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives is now fully operational with a full quota of members and statutory powers that are in line with the Paris Principles.”

The Chief Government Spokesman concluded with a wish to continue working with Amnesty International and other international audiences: “It is important to note that we remain in close contact with Amnesty International, both here in Male’ and through our network of diplomatic missions abroad. It is only through continued engagement with our NGO stakeholders, and through their shared commitment to Maldivian democracy and human rights, that we can bring about the radical constitutional change envisaged by President Gayoom. We are confident about our future and look forward to Amnesty’s continuing interest and support.”

Source: Haveeru

Celebrating human rights in the Maldives

Last year, human rights activists in the Maldives celebrated International Human Rights Day in public for the first time. Despite police warnings that they had 'committed unlawful acts', they were happy that their pilot event went off well. Angeline Loh has the story.

I was delighted to receive an email in December 2006 from a friend in the Maldives. Shahinda Ismail works for the Maldivian Detainee Network, an NGO advocating detainees’ human rights. She told me how International Human Rights Day was celebrated in her country.

International Human Rights Day is an annual event celebrated every 10 December. Last year, Maldivian NGOs and activists, for the first time, celebrated this day publicly in a festive way by holding a rally and music festival. Three hundred people attended this grand event. The huge successful event took off well and ended peacefully.

Shahindha said, “This being our pilot, ... I think we did very well.” She added that despite the peaceful nature of the event, the police warned them that they had ‘committed unlawful acts’. It remains to be seen if the police will file any charges against these NGOs and activists to whom the International Declaration on Human Rights Defenders 1998 applies.

Although I have not yet had an opportunity to follow this up with Shahindha, and I pray that the Maldivian police have not harassed them, I did promise to inform the world of the existence of Maldivian civil society groups. So, this is a promise kept to a friend and I feel really good about it. Thanks, Shahindha!

Getting news from friends living in other countries and who face similar challenges in their work as people working in NGOs here in Malaysia do somehow makes me feel that we are not alone. The world has become a smaller place with the communications technology we have nowadays. It is consoling to know that friends are just a “click away” when you need to talk. Thank God for the Internet!

Stay connected, current and committed to justice. We deliver the truth right to your doorstep every month at only RM30 a year -- which is far less than your newspaper bill each month. All you have to do is click here to subscribe.

Justice was never won without personal sacrifice - whether measured in time volunteered, energy devoted to a cause, or financial support generously given. We need your support in our struggle for justice. Your contribution no matter how small will be like a droplet that builds up into a wave of change. Click here if you would like to contribute financially.