IN EXILE IN COLOMBO
In the sandy atolls of the Maldives, civil and political rights have traditionally been viewed as a privilege bestowed by a benevolent ruler, rather than as inalienable rights of the citizenry. Nonetheless, under intense internal and international pressure that was heightened last year in particular, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was forced to make some concessions.This culminated in the announcement of the much-touted Roadmap for the Reform Agenda on 27 March 2006. Since that time, however, the 'reforms' have remained on paper, while systematic, targeted violations of constitutionally guaranteed rights have increased sharply.
In the past few months, the constitutional right to freedom of assembly was severely curtailed by violent actions against peaceful protestors by both the police and pro-government thugs believed to be in the control of Police Commissioner Adam Zahir. Protestors have been brutally beaten, arbitrarily arrested and charged with "disobeying police orders" or "obstructing police work". Detainees facing trial are typically brought in through the backdoor of the courts and summarily sentenced, without recourse to defence procedures. The police and the pro-government thugs have made a habit of roaming the streets, storming houses and indiscriminately arresting family members and supporters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Such actions have included the detention of a girl and her four-year-old sister.
Both the United Nations and the European Union have strongly condemned the Male government for the mounting severity of its actions. While President Gayoom, under international pressure, did allow the registration of independent newspapers and magazines earlier this year, media work has been severely hampered through intimidation, arbitrary arrests and spurious charges. Almost half the staff of the opposition-run Minivan, the widest circulating daily, are either in jail or have court cases pending against them. Independent journalists in general face similar persecution, including death threats and intimidation.