Finally UN takes notice :: Maldives News :: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial

Finally UN takes notice

By A. S. I. Moosa (Sappe'), 26 January 2006

Gayyoom has been running a police state with an iron fist since he came to power unlawfully in 1978. He had illegal weapons in his possession at the time of taking the oath of office according to his own admission. World human rights organisations such the Amnesty International and Asian Centre for Human Rights and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative have condemned and criticised the regime of Gayyoom for the extensive abuse of human rights in the Maldives. The United Nations however have failed so far to interfere and protect the human rights of the Maldivian people.

Over the past two and half years, much has been happening in our small country in the political and social spheres, yet time and time again the United Nations failed to take notice or do anything about the crimes committed by Gayyoom and his thugs against innocent Maldivians. Most recently, the killing of Evan Naseem and others in September 2003, the indiscriminate arrest and torture of demonstrators and other detainees on various occasions, kidnapping of people at gun point in Addu and other places, the terrorist attack on Fares-Maathodaa and the attack on the people of Addu earlier this month, are just few of the many events where we look for an organisation like the United Nations to be there for us and to protect us.

However, the statement failed to recognise the will and defiance of the Maldivian people by participating in the demonstration in spite of all the harassment and intimidation and threats by the regime, calling the demonstration illegal. Government ministers and other senior officials, with the use of government controlled media (the only radio and tv stations in the Maldives) tried to instil fear and prevent the public from taking part in the demonstration, calling it illegal and a threat internal security. Extreme terminology were used by ministers such the Foreign Minister on live TV, calling that the demonstration will be the "Funeral of the Maldivian Democratic Party". In addition to that, government staff were threatened with their jobs and were forced to sign statements declaring that they will not participate in the demonstration. And, the UN perhaps did not monitor the events as close as they should have during the time of the demonstration. The increased presence of army and riot police all over Male' as well as the loud announcements which went on continuously for the 2 hours of the demonstration at the Artificial Beach, were in complete contradiction to the constitution of the Maldives, articles 25 and 26 of which guarantees freedom of expression and assembly. They called the assembly illegal and direct threats to use excessive force were being made publicly. To make matters worse, Gayyooom's security forces blocked almost all the roads leading to the the Artificial Beach. This prevented thousands from joining the demonstration who were intent on participating in this peaceful expression of dissent.

However, after the demonstration on 24th, it appears that UN has now formally entered the ring of support organisations, who want to see real change and real democracy take root in the Maldives. This initial step how ever small, we hope, is only just the beginning of a greater role of the UN in this endeavour to achieve the great Maldivian dream, a peaceful multi-democracy where human rights and social justice as well as human liberty is upheld.

There are however, a number of questions that we want to raise with regard to the UN mission and their activities in the Maldives.

Why is it that UN is always seen to be siding with the Dictator rather than the people, especially those who work hard to bring real social change to Maldives? Has the United Nations mission in Maldives met with the Chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party who has been in detention since August 2005?

What can the United Nations do to ensure the civil liberties and fundamental rights of the Maldivian people in the coming weeks and months?

And, finally, the big question. Will the United Nation stay quite if Gayyoom shoots unarmed civilians to control and disperse a crowd in any future demonstration? Can the UN guarantee that under no circumstance will they tolerate any such crime and will the UN interfere and stop it?

In the last UN General Assembly, heads of governments such as the Prime Minister of Great Britain amongst others reiterated the view that it is not longer a national issue when a regime commits crimes against his or her own people, it is a universal issue and it is the responsibility of the United Nations to ensure that all human beings enjoy freedom prosperity and progress. "For the first lime at this Summit we are agreed that states do not have the right to do what they will within their own borders, but that we, in the name of humanity, have a common duty to protect people where their own governments will not." Tony Blair - UN General Assembly 2005

So, can the United Nations do it?