| Main | News | Dhivehi | Editorials | Opinions | Open Forum |About Maldives |Downloads |About us | Links | 09 December 2005 18:03
LOCAL NEWS
DO
EXCLUSIVE
Fourth debate held in Male' In support
of Political Party System
By Mariyam Mohamed, Male' 13th July 2004
|
A forth reform debate was held in Kalaafaanu School tonight. Mr. Kurendhoo Ahmed Mahir, was given the permission to organise the meeting attended by over 1500 people. It was generally less upbeat than the previous meetings as many attendees were scared of Gayyoom’s heavy handedness. Mainly because from one meeting to the other, the restrictions imposed by the government is increasing. Calling for Gayyoom’s resignation is now apparently a crime in spite of "Freedom of Expression" being guaranteed by the constitution. Reviewing and discussing democracy from an Islamic point of view is no longer allowed. Only those who have permissions from the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs are allowed to talk about any topic of Islam. People attempting to organise these debates in Male’ are getting ever so frustrated with the restriction imposed. DO can confirm that the government is now demanding the Identity card copies of the people who will sit in the panel overseeing the meeting and because of this many refused to sit in the panel tonight.
Like other debates, tonight also there were some key speakers, such as Hon. Ibrahim Ismail, Special Majlis Member for Male’ who discussed the fundamental rights of the people in the current constitution of the Maldives. Hon. Ismail is evidently very dissatisfied by the announcement which has banned him from organising an further meetings of this nature. This is what a respected and dignified representative of the people has to go through for being open about the ideals of pluralistic democracy, so imagine what an average Maldives can do to bring any meaningful change whilst Gayyoom and his brothers are in charge of running the country.
Hon. Qasim Ibraim, Special Majlis Member for South Ari Atoll also expressed his support for free media and the significance of freedom of expression in shaping up a democratic state. It was reported that he had to keep a low profile tonight due to pressure from the government. Hon. Qasim Ibrahim is a prominent businessman and one of the most respected people in the Maldives mainly due to his philanthropic work. He has been a keen advocate of pluralistic democracy and is a founding member of Maldivian Democratic Party. An attendee of a meeting organised by Ilyas Ibrahim for the Government Staff Society the night before stated that “After making a few bucks in the market, he (Qasim Ibrahim) is convinced that he can now become the President of Maldives”! The mentality of Gayyoom supporters is that no one should inspire to do anything for the people but Gayyoom. No one else can provide a better future for the people of Maldives but Gayyoom. No one has the right to rule the Maldives but Gayyoom. No one is more educated and wise than Gayyoom. There can be no argument that after 26 years of absolute nepotism, Qasim or any Maldivian businessman or any of the reformists will be better than Gayyoom.
Mr. Nazeer Jamal, former Presidential candidate and an outspoken reformist also called for the release of political prisoners namely Naushad Waheed and the writers of Sandhaanu Newsletters. These are innocent people who have been given long prison sentences for opposing the government of Gayyoom and calling for democratic reform. Mr. Nazeer Jamal said that he is also adding his voice to that of Amnesty International and other human rights organisations demanding the release these prisoners of conscience.
Mr. Adam Zahir, a teacher from Male' also expressed the importance of sharing the wealth of the nations equally rather to create a stronger and a more prosperous society. He said "when I give a chocolate to my child, she shares it with everyone in the house". It is encouraging to see people like Mr. Zahir participating in these debates and contributing to the political reform in the Maldives.
There are hundreds of people attending these meetings. Many listen to it from outside and the side walkways. Here is a nation which is crying out for change, for an end to the dictatorship of Gayyoom. Some of the pro-reformists made their statements loud and clear by wearing a t-shirt which said “in support of political party system”.
DO have reports that many in the islands are trying to get permission to organise similar debates but Gayyoom is restricting those activities. DO also learned last week that Hon. Adhil, Special Majlis Member for Haa Dhaalu Atoll was trying to organise a debate in his constituency but so far there has been no meeting there. These are clear signs of Gayyoom’s intentions. He has no will to change the governing style of Maldives which gives him the status of an Autocratic King by virtue of the constitution.
Gayyoom’s supporters are saying that no one of high class or calibre is attending these meetings. Despite the fact that people who speak in these pro-reform debates are well informed and educated people, respectable with a high level of integrity and from different walks of life. For Gayyoom supporters, Abdulla Hameed and Abbas Ibrahim are the kind of ‘class’ people who should be given the responsibility to shape the future of our nation. This is despite the fact that they have no respect in Maldivian society today. They are corrupt from head to toe. What is absolutely clear from the works of Gayyoom and his brothers is that he is hell bent on destroying the freedom of the people of Maldives to express themselves and to associate with one another in advancing the lives of common people of the Maldives.
It is also interesting to note that Television Maldives and Voice of Maldives record these meetings in its entirety but neither institutions report them. It is rumoured that Gayyoom wants to use these recording to convict the attendees for inciting hatred toward his government and assassinating his character. By doing so he believes he can bring an end to the opposition to his government. He could not be more naïve. If he thinks he can arrest and lock all those people up he is dreaming. Let us recall the arrest of MDP members and supporters early in February 13th this year. They were released after one month in detention due to international pressure. Let us then consider the harassment of Abdul Rasheed last week for displaying a banner on the reform debate held in Giyaasudheen School. He demanded a lawyer before he spoke to the police and he is still a free man. In the past, it would be 6 months of ‘Spa Treatment’ at Dhoonihoo Prison Island Resort and Spa before the detainee is asked to confirm his name and address. Pro-reformists are no longer neglected by world media and Gayyoom no longer has a free hand. He is answerable to international organisation and countries that have diplomatic relations with the Maldives. Furthermore, there are thousands of Maldivians who are absolutely committed to making sure that the world is informed about every single act of Gayyoom that undermines the rights of the Maldivians to live in peace and harmony, with freedom of expression and association.
In addition to the audio and video recordings, local press owned by Gayyoom’s ministers, are also attending these meetings but not reporting them. Hirigaa Zahir, a senior figure at Haveeru Daily, who usually speaks quite loudly in meetings when it is to praise the regime of Gayyoom, attends all these meetings but makes fun of people who support party politics. People like Zahir side with the dictator and allow him to torture and kill his fellow Maldivian and get away with it. With a more democratic and transparent government, surely the future will be much brighter for his children and he cannot argue with that if he thinks straight. Human beings are free to choose, slavery is the lowest level of human existence, which all sane should be rejected in all its manifestations.
On 9th June 2004, in Gayyoom’s unofficial yet ‘self-acclaimed’ speech on his ideas for Constitutional Reform, he advised the people of Maldives to debate constitutional reforms openly and announced ‘unofficially’ that he is embarking on a new mission to bring about historic change to the entire framework of country. He suggested the introduction of party politics and the establishment of a more affluent society based on pluralistic democracy. However, Gayyoom is as ever, not sticking to his word. There have been lots of small and large gathering in Maldives attempting to do just what he asked people to do. Most important and significant are the open debates organised by pro-reformists in Male’. However, from meeting to a meeting, things are tightening up. The first meeting was organised by Ahmed Nazim Sattar, a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party in association Hon. Ibrahim Ismail Member of the Special Majlis for Male, who is also a Member of the Maldivian Democratic Party. Many openly supported a more democratic system of government and the introduction of party politics in Maldives. The second meeting was organised by Hon. Ibrahim Ismail on 5th July 2004. However, to the joy of many attendees, a known reformist Abdul Rasheed displayed a banner calling for Gayyoom’s immediate resignation. This was too much for Gayyoom and Rasheed was taken to police and he was warned as well as a statement was taken from him regarding that act. Soon after, Home Ministry announced that Hon. Ibrahim Ismail and Mr. Ahmed Nazim Sattar will no longer be given permission to organise and chair such meetings or debates. This followed a week of failed attempts by reformist to get another meeting organised in Male’ with no success. Home Ministry was willing but no hall was available. Male’ English School confirmed their hall but later Justice Minister Ahmed Zahir over ruled Principle Ali Mustafa’s decision and stopped the meeting from taking place in his school. Mr. Zahir is one of the founders of the School, who was know previously for being People’s Voice until Gayyoom appointed him to the cabinet.
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