PUBLIC
AI
Index: ASA 29/002/2004
UA 54/04
Medical Concern/ Prisoners of Conscience 11 February
2004
MALDIVES Ahmed
Ibrahim Didi (m) / Mohamed Zaki (m)
Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the health of the
two prisoners of conscience named above. Their health is reportedly
deteriorating and they require urgent medical treatment at a
hospital with adequate medical facilities.
Ahmed Ibrahim Didi was
reportedly hospitalised for unspecified heart problems on 10
February. He is a registered heart patient and a panel of government
doctors have reportedly recommended his transfer to a hospital
abroad for further examination and treatment. This is because such
facilities are not available in the Maldives. The government however
has not allowed the transfer to take place.
Mohamed Zaki is
reportedly suffering from a bladder condition which in the last few
weeks has become more serious. Following a sudden deterioration in
his health, the government allowed him about a week ago to be
transferred from Maafushi Island Prison to the hospital in the
capital Malé at his own
cost. His situation has not improved and he is in urgent need of
adequate medical treatment for which the Malé hospital is reportedly
ill-equipped.
Mohamed Zaki and Ahmed
Ibrahim Didi have been detained since the end of January 2002 on
charges related to their involvement in the production of a
clandestine internet e-mail magazine, Sandhaanu. It contained
articles which were critical of the government and was circulated
widely amongst Maldivians. The prisoners of conscience were
sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2002 following grossly unfair
trials. They have been periodically held under conditions that have
amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
In 2003, their
sentences were reduced to 15 years' imprisonment. Following the
escape from prison of another prisoner of conscience in May 2003,
Mohamed Zaki and Ahmed Ibrahim Didi were transferred from Maafushi
prison to the Dhoonidhoo detention centre in
Malé for interrogation. They
were held there for about six months during which time they were
reportedly held in solitary confinement, frequently interrogated and
subjected to ill-treatment. Their complaints of ill-health during
this period were reportedly ignored by the government. There are
fears that their current health conditions may deteriorate further
unless the government takes immediate action to provide them with
adequate medical treatment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive
as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
- expressing serious concern that
the health of Ahmed Ibrahim Didi and Mohamed Zaki is reportedly
deteriorating and that they are not receiving adequate medical
treatment;
- urging the authorities to take
immediate action to provide both men with adequate medical treatment
at a place which is equipped with the necessary medical facilities
and expertise, especially following the recommendations of a panel
of government doctors in the case of Ahmed Ibrahim Didi;
- urging the government to
institute an independent, impartial and competent inquiry into the
reports that their complaints of ill-health were ignored by the
authorities until their conditions deteriorated in recent weeks, and
to bring those found responsible for negligence to justice;
- reminding the government that
Ahmed Ibrahim Didi and Mohamed Zaki are prisoners of conscience and
should be released immediately and unconditionally.
APPEALS TO:
President
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
The President=s
Palace
Maafannu
Theemuge
Malé 2002
Republic of
Maldives
Telegrams: President Gayoom,
Male,
Maldives
Faxes: + 960 32 5500
Salutation: Dear President Gayoom
COPIES TO:
Diplomatic
representatives of The Maldives accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS
IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your
section office, if sending appeals after 23 March 2004.
