:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Gayyoom threatens Maldivians with another State of Emergency

Mariyam Mohamed, Monday, 25th Oct. 2004

An announcement tonight on local radio and TV threatened the people of Maldives with another State of Emergency. Maldivians are dismayed by the misuse of the constitution under the oppressive rule of Gayyoom.

More people are being arrested, questioned and detained. Today, a prominent reformist Disco Saleem was taken into custody. Several political activists are still behind bars and false charges are being processed so their detention can continue.

It is also believed that popularly-elected members of the Special constitutional Majlis, Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim, Dr. Hussein Rasheed and Ahmed Shafeeq are still being held in solitary confinement, apparently because they are not speaking to the police at all. They have refused to communicate with National Security Service (NSS) officers because they believe they are being targeted for filing a treason case against Gayyoom's brother Abdulla Hameed, after Hameed attempted to implement a 'show of hands' election for the powerful contitutional Speaker's position. Under the constitution, all important elections are to be held by secret ballot.

At the announcement of tomorrow's visit by Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon to the Maldives, locals have been organising a peaceful demonstration, hoping that Gayyoom will hesitate to use his NSS against the people while McKinnon is in the country. Gayyoom's public threat of another State of Emergency is directly linked to the planned opposition gathering.

It is clear that Gayyoom has no respect for the rule of law, and some Maldivians are prepared to cooperate with his illegal activities. Does this mean that no democratic change is possible without the dictator's permission?

According to high-ranking officials, some cabinet ministers have been briefed on changes Gayyoom has planned for the constitution, which mainly focus on the election of a Prime Minister with the President retaining powers to dissolve the parliament.

Isn't there a constitution in Maldives? If Gayyoom does not abide by the constitution, he must be removed immediately. The people of Maldives have an obligation to defend and protect our rights and our constitution. We are not slaves to be bullied by a tyrant with no respect for law.