Friday 30 September 2005

Local News
Maldives Human Rights Commissioner Ahmed Mujuthabaa resigns from office
Male' - Confirmed reports say that the Maldives Human Rights Commissioner Ahmed Mujuthaba has resigned from his post because he was unable to perform his duties independently. He has not been going to office for sometime now over these problems and is believed to have resigned because he is disgusted with the recent incidents in Male', last August, in which he personally witnessed absolute inhumane brutality by Gayyoom's militia. more

Local News
Deputy High Commissioner of Britain visits Addu
Lesley Craig, Deputy British High Commissioner, visited the MDP ADDU office at Hithadhoo and spoke to the families of detainees and some of the people who were earlier arrested by the police on the 27th of August. more

Alert News
Tsunami aid hits record $11 billion
LONDON (AlertNet)-Nine months after the Indian Ocean tsunami donors have poured more than $11 billion into relief and reconstruction in what the United Nations says is an unprecedented response, but most are still neglecting other emergencies. more

Press Release
WHO expert to work with the UN system on Avian and Human Influenza - Position critical as world speeds up preparation for an influenza pandemic
Geneva: The United Nations Secretary General has appointed Dr. David Nabarro, one of the most senior public health experts at the World Health Organization (WHO), to lead coordination of the global response to avian influenza and a possible human influenza pandemic. more

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cnwviawa rws "Enwdun caekwtctWrwfEhebWmwk cnwkWbok

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Thursday 29 September 2005

Press Release

There is surprisingly little awareness in the authorities of what the internationally approved standards of Human Rights compliance are;

We will be reporting our experience, as we have been invited to do, to the International Relations Committee of the United Kingdom Bar, "Justice" (the UK Branch of the International Commission of Jurists), and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which currently holds the Presidency of the European Union. We will also send our conclusions to UK Members of Parliament and to Amnesty International. more

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cnwviawa rws - caerwzwn cSwtwaIrwx egincnwa
(csilcjwm egInWr)

Minivan News
Sir Ivan Slams Anni's Trial Process - Questions Why Attorney General Hasn't Shared Evidence with the Defense Team
A team of four senior British barristers, headed by Sir Ivan Lawrence QC, has heavily criticised the way the Maldives government is conducting the trial of opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), which according to them falls a long way short of international standards of justice - standards Gayoom has promised the international community he will abide by. more

Today is the day... freedom at last!
 

    Free Anni and all other political prisoners today! Or else...   

Position of the stars over the capital Male' at 1200 hours
on 29th September 2005

.....cSwnWdiawm
,Iaea uhUr ImuAwq ,cnWxin ihevid Irehea
,cnWvuz iawgumuzwA ,cnIrwd ihevid Ibitim    
.....unWj Egwm ,unWjEgwm cnWburuq emwv        

Forbes.com
World's Most Expensive Resorts 2005
Glorious sunsets, pristine beaches and sweet evening breezes may be naturally free, but they can sure cost a lot of money. The irony attached to many of the world's most beautiful resorts is that they are in places so remote that for centuries they were known primarily to their indigenous people, pirates and castaways. For non-natives, these were places to escape from, not travel to. And certainly, if any unlucky seaman found marooned in the Maldives in the 18th century was told that in the 21st century people would be willing to pay $10,000 to spend the night there, not to mention thousands more to travel there, he would have thought you had been spending too much time at the grog barrel. more

News Review
USA wants real democracy in Maldives
US Ambassador H.E. Mr.Jeffrey J.Lunstead was forthcoming in his expression of support for the people of Maldives. He was explicit in his criticism of the Government of Maldives. H.E. Lunstead expressed his views last Sunday night at a dinner hosted by him at Hulule Island Hotel to Mark the US Maldives Friendship Week held from 26-27 Sept 2005. more

FreeAnni.org
Learn a lesson from what became of Augusto Pinochet
Augusto Pinochet Ugarte who ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990 resembles Gayyom exactly. Some people used to call him a "strong man" who committed a few "human rights violations". But in reality he was a dictator, a worst one of them. He resembles Gayyom in all the ways except that he ruled for only 17 years while Gayyom is still ruling for 27years. Pinochets jails were torture chambers just like the Maldivian jails. It would bring tears to the eyes of people who read about the tortures of Pinochet. more

New Website
Dharumavantha pupils launches a new website

Students demanding better services and more rights

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Wednesday 28 September 2005 - International Right to Know Day

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
It's International "Right to Know Day"
Freedom of Information lies at the root of the rights discourse. Failure of the State to provide access to information or State suppression of information can lead to the most egregious forms of human rights violations. The Right to Information (RTI) is fundamental to the realisation of rights as well as effective democracy, which requires informed participation by all. CHRI educates the public about the value of RTI and advocates at policy level for guaranteed access to information. more

Zahid Column
International community should help us end the never ending film
On August 12, 2005 when Gayyoom arrested his leading political opponent, Mohamed Nasheed, the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), many  thought that the political opposition to Gayyoom's government is diluted. This ideology is true up to a certain extent. There are some people who thought that the MDP would never again come into the scene. The majority of its members however did not loose hope, they played a commendable role in the international front and the truth is now exposed. more

Review
Parties not allowed to take part in elections
Gayyoom always has a cunning plan and again he has stuck to it and as we expected slowly it is coming to light. His Foreign Minister Dr. Shaheed said on BBC last month that we now have four political parties in the Maldives but he forgot to mention that elections however I am afraid will not be based on multiparty democracy. more

Opinion
Exercising democracy all the time
We are struggling to implement a better democracy in the Maldives and to eliminate the dictatorship existed in the Maldives for the past 27 only because of the autocracy of Gayyoom. So, let’s just be united and go forward hand in hand rather than ignoring the situation which we are suffering now.  We must challenge him with people power. more

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iaWtogWruk utWlwmWaum iaWncnutwycawr cnurWkurws
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- ejcaiLoa csevcSwLwgnwr wmwh cSwncnihevid
Ikwncnutiycawr ?caeawbcnok Ikwncnirev
?caeawbcnok

Tuesday 27 September 2005

Diary
I went to the Rundinge' Party meeting at Giyaasuddin
I arrived at Gaiyaasuddin hall around 8:35 and the place was gloomy. There were young girls and women wearing tight Dhiguhedhun dress to show people around, and for general maintenance there were these boys dressed in blue shirts. Hoarafushi Saleem, Jausha Jaufar and Haanim were seen as the lead organizers. The clock ticked and it was just 5 minutes till 9 but the place was still 1/3 empty. Hoarafushi Saleem was panicking so was Jausha Jaufar because there were no people there. I have been to MDP meetings and you can hardly get a seat in their rallies and assemblies even if you go an hour in advance, so it was quite obvious that DRP has no supporters. more

Report
Freedom of information is the weapon against corruption
Maldives is yet to enact an access to information law and has struggled to crack down on poverty and poor governance. Indeed, in the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Index Maldives only came 96th out of a total of 177 countries surveyed, with the highest country ranked achieving a high level of human development. This compares with Sweden, the country with the oldest right to information law, enacted in 1766, which ranked 6th overall in the Index. more
 

Review
Gayyoom under pressure to release all political prisoners
According to sources close to Gayyoom, he is very much under pressure from the international community to release all political prisoners in the Maldives, especially those arrested during the protests of 12th August and the days that followed.  more
 

UNICEF Media Release
Investing in children in the Islamic world
A landmark joint report launched today gives a unique insight into the opportunities and challenges facing 600 million children across the Islamic world.
The report, entitled 'Investing in the Children of the Islamic World', says children can and should be the focal point for Islamic governments in their drive for greater unity and solidarity across the Islamic world. It says that addressing the needs and guaranteeing the rights of children in Islamic nations will in large part determine whether the world succeeds in reaching global development targets and building a more peaceful future. more

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 idwa wvOb uDob egumIawz iaWaumIawz
IjolonckeT ujcnopcs

 unwswh Udurubnuk
Wgus cnuawrub iaWaITWp egcniDnur
csim clWmWa ibOl ibOl idwa

uTcawnibnik
...ITis urcais cSwrwv

cnutWrwf egcnutiycawr ukwlumcawvuf
cSwnIdcaIhwv urwTcsinim clOTea iaWSwnUmuawm

 
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iawfihej cnwrukWawjWrum cmwTcswk

Monday 26 September 2005

Report
International 'Right to Know' Day - September 28; can we observe
The New Delhi office of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative an international non-government organization mandated to ensure the practical realization of human rights in the countries of the commonwealth focusing on two broad areas like Access to justice and Access to Information. One of the issues we deal with is Freedom of Information where CHRI has been actively involved pan commonwealth - i.e. campaigning for access legislations in nations that does not have one and advocating with the policy makers for adoption of an access law, helping  the civil society  in  drafting  FOI legislations  as well as critiquing bills that are pending government approval. more

Business Review
An Appeal to the One and Only
The Maldives is experiencing severe economic downfalls due to December's Tsunami and our economic growth is set to shrink in 2005 for the first time in the recorded history. This major set back is mainly due to the fact that the tourist arrivals are being halved as a result of the tsunami. Soaring oil prices in the international market has also affected the fragile economy. As a result today the Maldives is on the brink of a major economic disaster. more

Freeanni.org
Maldivians are obedient
History proves that we the Maldivians are obedient to our rulers. We have being taught by our old generations the noble principle of Listening and obeying, though a mangled Abyssinian slave is appointed as our leader, provided he executes (the Ordinance of) the Book of Allah among us. more

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ctwqIqwh egukwtiSwkinim ununef cnuLotwa uDcawa
....iawfevuDobcnwk cnutiycawr cnegigEn

  cswvuDcawa
cSwdwdwa wnwv 177 eguhwvuDcawa udIhwv .rD
uaivwTcnia ivcaed

urwbwh
egurWtcaws UDcawa Wviawfcaokurwycawh iawgulwj
ifcseneg cSwlwTipcsoh cnegevilwb

cmwlok clWyiK
ukWkInid cSwycauk cawtcTelcf ElWmuLuh
?WbcnwrukcaIk cSwkWk

uaivwTcnia cmOk.incnwaIruf
egInej cnegiLug iaWkwtcnuhejunwmwhigih urwhwa 2003
ctogEkedInej EretEd iaWaWvuawd unuveruk cSwCcawm
irukcnutWrwf egcTiawscbev incnwaIrcf iawkwTcSwmulWlwb
uaivwTcnia

cgOa.incnwaIruf
iawgcaetwlWh iretWkcawrun uawmwtujum

 

Sunday 25 September 2005

The Hindu
UK lawyers to visit Maldives to seek fair trial for Opposition Leader
Colombo, Sept. 25 (AP): A team of British lawyers will visit the Maldives next week to seek a fair trial for an Opposition leader being held on charges of terrorism, the lawyers said on Saturday.  more

Nashid Column
Licence to kill
Gayoom's government signed the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) in April 2004. Parties to this convention are required under its various articles to bring the national legal system up to international standards. In particular, article four of CAT requires the parties to "ensure that all acts of torture are offences under its criminal law." more

Press Release - Reporters without boarders
Journalist and human right activist on trial amid continuing crackdown on press
Reporters Without Borders appealed for clemency today as a court in the Maldives prepares to hand down its verdict and sentences in the trial of journalist Jennifer Latheef and five other defendants on "terrorism" charges. Jail terms would be a clear sign that President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is breaking his promises about democracy, the organisation said. more

Gay Travel Network
Looking for a gay friendly resort in Maldives?
Gay Maldives Hotels, Motels, Inns and Resorts offered by Gay Travel Network come with a Lowest Rate Guarantee, so you know you're getting a hotel at the best rate. Our selection of gay hotels and gay friendly hotels range from budget and tourist class to business class through luxury resorts and spas. more

FreeAnni.org
Reminder to the self proclaimed ustaaz Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom
Ohh ustaazul Azhar, Human rights in Islam have been granted by Allah (God), and no individual or legislative assembly has the right to amend, change, or withdraw them.  more

(cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21) WmWnutwsurwk egumIawz
 WvcauLugcneg cnwvwmcnuf unoa umIawz iaWaumIawz
uDwgcnef Wkih Ob Us egudImwh Wycairwkwz

cnumwlwg egurwpcmwD
 cniaWsiawf egcnutiycawr cnuhImctWg egObWLog
...... EdcaokufWm cSwncnuhImea cswairuk cnwkcawv

3- WawjWrum Okcfim
WliaWa egWnEa iaWmIswv

Saturday 24 September 2005

Business News
Capital Group launches new online store for Hotel & Resort supplies
Capital Group Maldives is a leading tour operator in the country which is also engaged in trading and other businesses. Astrabon, a resort and hotel supply department was formed in 2002 and in less than 3 years, the group is offering a wide range of high quality products. We now have more than 5,000 products available. The product range includes kitchen utensils, glassware including shatter-proof items, cutleries, Linens and coffee Machines. We now supply to more than 80% of the market in the Maldives." said Astrabon's Sales Manager Shahid.
Astrabon is also the authorised dealer for a number of world class brands including Pujadas, Giesser Messer, Neumaker and Durobor among others. With the comprehensive new online store, they hope to be able to strengthen their services and satisfy their customers. "As such, we are also going to open a new showroom in Male' as well as one in neighbouring Sri Lanka," added Shahid. Please visit www.astrabon.net

Gay News
Holiday at the Maldives
Been in Sitges? Done New York? Bored of gay sex holidays? Then you might wanna try a vacation at the Maldive Islands, a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives constist of some two thousand islands, spread across 100.000 square kilometres. Only thirty-three of these islands are bigger than one square kilometre. Two hundred islands are inhabited and seventy have been trasformed into holiday resorts. more

Business News
Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting
Commonwealth Finance Ministers went into their first plenary session at the Barbados Hilton this morning to look at several issues affecting the 53 states stretched across the globe. more

Friends of Maldives
Silk Leads Delegation of Barristers on Human Rights Mission to the Maldives
Four Barristers, including a leading QC, are flying to the Maldives on Sunday the 25th of September on a Human Rights mission, to observe whether the trial of Mohamed Nasheed, the pro-democracy leader in the Maldives, meets international standards. more

(cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21) WmWnutwsurwk egumIawz
ibOl egudUaWd Ijcnwrwf iaWauMiawz

2- WawjWrum Okcfim
ctwmudih IsWswa Eved cSwncnufwzcawvum eg urwvilef

WawjWrum urwbwK UDcawa
iawgumurukUd itOg cnia Udwtih uLotwa uDcawa
ctoged cSufed ELugcneg cfItwl cnwswH ubItwk clUBua
 

(cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21) udOs cniaUdwnit .dg
wkwhWv egWycaeb ITcauh cnwkwTwr eheycaet

Friday 23 September 2005

Breaking News
Human remains found in Hithadhoo RAF area
Hithadhoo - Confirmed news say that human remains were found near the waste dumping area of Hithadhoo at around noon today. According to eyewitness, these human remains were of more than one person. The bodies were not fully decomposed. Police is now investigating this says the source. more

Local News
Zahid given a hero's welcome 

Addu - More than 500 people went to the airport to welcome Zahid to Addu as he returned home yesterday after being in solitary confinement for 77 days and in Male' arrest since then. He was arrested on 30th April this year because he worked openly to promote democracy and freedom in his Atoll and was an active member of the opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). more

Minivan News
Petition Calling for Release of Detainees Started
Families of Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) and those detained during 12, 13, 14 August 2005 initiated the signing of a petition today, calling for their immediate and unconditional release. more
 

Letter to Minister of Education
Helping you improve the quality of Education in Hulhumale'
People shifted their beloved children from various schools of Male' to Fareediyya School with the hope of getting equal standard of education that is provided in Male' but that is not happening. more

EditorsWeblog
Maldives: The difficulties faced by independent newspapers
The example of the Minivan newspaper shows the difficulties independent newspapers are facing in countries where the situation of press freedom is critical. more

FoM Press Release
Jennifer Latheef about to face terrorism charges as new intimidation of journalists' case arises
Jennifer Latheef, has been summoned to appear to court , Sunday the 25th of September at 10.45 AM Male' time. She is being charged for Terrorism offences for her presence at the riots following the torture and murder of Evan Naseem in custody. Jennifer Latheef is accused of "having performed an act of terrorism" by throwing a stone at a policeman. more

ejcaemukin cswvuDcawa

WsWrid
cnukwtuLufcsIdwh iaWnWauruq itirIk
ctwrcbiA Edibil

 (cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21) WawjWrum csWyclia iDwbuDob
InWvuhwx egcmIhWrcbia csWyclia urwTcsinim utcleh
itwm cSwrwv csevidwa cnwkirevcnudea

 
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cSwTOk uzImwr Ilwa

1- WawjWrum Okcfim
cnurwvilef iawgurwzwn egcnufwzcawaum egurwvulef
iaWmwkinWgcaEn egurWkurws wmwh InwvunWdiawf
cnumwkwDuk cnulWLwa

cnwlwg egurwpcmwD
uTOpir EvWs cswgibnik

Thursday 22 September 2005

DO Exclusive Interview

If Gayoom really loves the Maldives then he should pave the way for an interim government and resign immediately" says Zahid

Mohamed Zahid of Addu Atoll Feydhoo is a young Maldivian who has been working hard to promote democracy and freedom in the country. Based in his native island Feydhoo he played a key role in educating the public and organising Maldivian Democratic Party and reform movement activities. He also worked hard with the campaign of Hon. Aslam in January 2005 parliamentary elections. more

Local News

MDP Chairman had an operation on his arm and is unwell

Male' - Reliable sources have confirmed that MDP Chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) who was recently arrested on 12th August when he took part in a peaceful demonstration to commemorate Black Friday 12th August 2004, had an operation on his arm and is very ill. "He cannot even move his arm and it is tied as if it broken" said a security guard from Dhoonidhoo Jail.

Mr. Nasheed has been charged with terrorism by Gayyoom but his trial has been postponed due to international attention on the case and also because of international support for the reformists and MDP.

There are also speculations that the charges will be dropped soon and that he will be released because some major international institutions are unwilling to negotiate or talk to the Dictator unless it is done.

Maverick Special Issue
Break Free from the Shackles that hold you, stand up, and breath freedom
Honourable President, what lays in front me is fear and menace, pain and suffering. I am in constant fear of being arrested at any moment and put in a prison that is full of abusive practices. I raise my voice in calling to the whole country for a law that would save me from this horror. download

Special Announcement

UNICEF would like to invite you to an informal "getting to know you" media gathering
UNICEF is holding a special media gathering on Thursday, 29th September 2005 from 4:15 – 5:15 pm at the UN Building, Conference Room in Male'. All journalists and writers are welcome to attend this gathering according to the organizers.

ADB will continue to support the Government of the Maldives in its development priorities, primarily regional or atoll development, according to ADB's Country Strategy and Program (CSP) update for 2006-2008 endorsed by its Board of Directors. more

Tourism News
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives re-opens, re-styled and rejuvenated
Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces is delighted to unveil their entirely renovated and upgraded Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in Maldives , set to re-open in December 2005.During its first year of opening in 2002, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa accrued prestigious awards from leading publications around the globe such as Conde' Nast Traveller's "Hot List", Harpers and Queen's "Resort of the Year" and Gallivanter's Guide's "Editor's Choice". The press acclaim focused on the impeccable service, resting on an elevated degree of care and warmth and outstanding food combined with uber chic design. more

urwbwK
udihWz udwmcawhum eginifcnud UdEf.s
...cSwSwr irubnea

(cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21) WmWnutwsurwk egOmIawz
 ufWscnia uludwA egOMIIawz iaWa OmIawz

cnumwlwg egurwpcmwD
utwsWyis egunUmuawm iaWLotwauDcawa
 

Wednesday 21 September 2005

Special Report Revisited
How Ilyas Ibrahim made millions from government coffers
Ilyas Ibrahim is the current Minister of Health*, the famous brother in law of President Gayoom. Former Velaanaage accountant, and current SBI/STO/MTSL senior executives and his Ex wife contributed to this report. more

Jibreel Farishta Column

Keeping hostages to finance a bad habit

Addicts who don't want to give up their addiction and can't finance it on their own, are often prepared to beg and borrow to support the habit. They resort to stealing when the situation gets critical. This characteristic is common in all kinds of addiction. Be it drugs, gambling, alcohol or power and luxurious living. President Gayoom as we all know has fallen into the vices of power and decadence a long time ago. He cannot tolerate any difference of opinion and is oblivious to the hand-to-mouth existence of the majority of the people that he brutally rules over. more

Socialist Worker online
Maldives: facing a nightmare in an island paradise
President Gayoom is the longest serving dictator in Asia having ruled the state for 27 years. The stunning tropical paradise has been transformed into a brutal totalitarian dictatorship where violations of fundamental human rights are commonplace. more

Press Release
18 years on, 189 countries work to protect the Ozone layer
The 16th of September 1987 is an important date on which a few countries came together to initiate action to protect a global common good, abiding by the principles of collective action stated in the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. more

 (cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21) crwbwK WzWt IkcjWa
ikwv Inwv cSwaIPurWaID cnemugIfuawt utuaws
cnIgwy wmwh cnwkwgcaemenEb

WawjWrum cbixWrwk
egubItwk udUmuhwm cniaeret egcbixWrwk urwfiawn
cpixIDWbutwsurwk

Udcnwvwhia
iawgIridnwa unwk urwhwa csIvWtwh cnuhIm csWhcnit

Tuesday 20 September 2005

By Minivan News
The Ghosts of Geneva Return to Haunt Gayoom in London
President Gayoom has had yet another European trip ruined by David Hardingham’s Friends of Maldives (FOM). This time, Maumoon was confronted outside the Maldivian High Commission in London on Monday morning, where protestors hurled accusations of torture and human rights abuses at the increasingly embattled President. more

Opinion

Men beneath the Uniform

Identification of any object is the beginning of its existence!  Means of identification around the world has become an upcoming trend, badges, cards; uniforms and other newly advance technological methods. When one asks oneself what does it really represent? Simply answered as identification. more

An Unforgettable Experience
Gayyoom's forces tortured and terrorized me says Fareed
I thought they were going to kill me. I may die in the hands of these cruel men in seconds. I did not regret, because I was in the right way. It wasn't a loss to lose this world of atrocities, but a retreat from the worldly weariness. Almighty Allah filled my heart with happiness. I expected to meet Allah. Beating continued, while I was having these feelings. This way I reach the end of the rows or men when I was right on the gate of the National Security Service HQ. Then I was taken to inside the compound of the HQ. I heard men yelling nasty things at me. Someone said (in Arabic) hay, dog, another yelled something, another something else, they shouted just anything they could think of. more

Site Review - How You Can Change the World
The state of democracy in the world today
Despite the problems with democracy in the West, the version of democracy that exists at least allows the people some degree of choice. There are many countries in the world where the right of the people to choose their leaders is substantially curtailed or non-existent. more

(cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21) WmWnutwsurwk egumIawz
iLumugod egumIawz iaWaumIawz

(cSwCcawm cnurwhwa 21)  crwbwK WzWt IkcjWa
 ufUrup caeCcaeaWhiruh cnehea cnUn iSwhcnehirif
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Evan Naseem Day - Monday 19 September 2005

Press Release - Friends of Maldives
FOM protests at President Gayoom's arrival in London

Friends of Maldives held a peaceful protest today the 19th of September 2005, outside the Maldivian High Commission in London. The president of Maldives arrived from New York and as he entered the High Commission with his wife Nasreena, FOM protestors asked the president questions and called for the release of Political prisoners and Mohamed Nasheed, chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party. more

DO Remembers
Gayyoom is directly responsible for the brutal killing of Evan Naseem and his friends
As we mark the 2nd year of the brutal killing of Evan Naseem and his friends in Maafushi Jail, we can be sure of one thing. Gayyoom is directly responsible for those deaths because he masterminded and allowed his militia to systematically torture those in detention in his jails for more than 2 decades. more

Evan Naseem was serving a sentence in Maafushi Jail for the use of drugs. Some disturbances took place in the jail and Evan Naseem was blamed for this. Evan was taken to the RANGE  (the torture chamber) and beaten to death by more than 12 policemen. Evan died because his lungs collapsed after his chest bones fractured and pierced his lungs. This sad incident happened exactly a year ago on 19th September 2003. more

Editorial
Dictator's 999 Call to the World  "if you want democracy in Maldives give me loads of money"
As usual, listening to Gayyoom's UN speech was unentertaining and very upsetting to say the least. Every time he makes a speech, especially the United Nations, he comes up with a bit or trick which never works and makes him the laughing stock of the assembly. Last time round it was his reminder of the time left for him to speak and this time the idea of the '999' emergency call. more

Opinion
Gayyoom the master of Human Rights Abuse is exposed  by United Nations
With the second anniversary of the Sep 19/20 massacres, Gayoom yet again had been exposed to the world. While trying to claim that he is father of Human rights in the Maldives (which he never was), Gayoom have made a fool out of himself again. The Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in a major blow to Gayoom had refuted his calls that the High Commissioner had praised the Government for the measures taken to improve human rights. more

Maldives Free Blog
Saag paneer and the Budget Deficit: Maldivians go to the Maharajah with urgent request for help

They have a great dinner bargain but you are advised to stay away from the saag paneer. The "Sampler" for 12.95 +tax includes an appetizer, one meat dish, one vegetarian dish, nan, rice, papadum, AND even a small dessert. Waiters could be better though. But they take the corp amex. more

CBS News
Oil Prices Drop on Signs of Falling Prices
(AP) Crude-oil prices dropped to $63 a barrel Friday after OPEC reaffirmed traders' belief that the high retail price of gas is driving away consumers. Light, sweet crude oil for October delivery fell $1.75 to settle at $63 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. more

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Sunday 18 September 2005

Minivan News
Evan Naseem Day to be Commemorated by Wearing a Black Ribbon
On the 19th September 2003 in Maafushi Jail, Maldives, members of President Gayoom's National Security Service took 19 year-old Evan Naseem out of his cell to 'the range'. They tied Evan's hands above his head and his legs to the floor in an 'X' position. Then, they took it in turns to beat Evan to death with iron rods, batons and chair legs. more

News
Surpise guests from Maldives in Delhi
Sept. 17. - Last week, two surprise guests from a neighbour in the Indian Ocean landed in Delhi at very short notice. The Maldives foreign minister, Dr Ahmed Shaheed, and finance minister, Mr Qasim Ibrahim, had come with an urgent request - to seek help in fixing Maldives' first budget deficit in decades.  more

Nashid Column
Cosmetic changes would not do

To release the pressure from abroad, President Gayoom's government has every now and then allowed international organizations access to persons detained in the Maldives. The human rights organization Amnesty International visited the Maldives to interview detainees held at the Dhoonidhoo detention centre in October 2004. more

Tony BLAIR, Speech to the General Assembly at UN

A Call for more democracy and more freedom

What's more, humanity today is confident of its common values. Give people the chance and they always vote for freedom; always prefer tolerance to prejudice, will never willingly accept the suppression of human rights and governance by extremism.
There would be more democracy, less oppression. More freedom, less terrorism. More growth, less poverty. The effect would be measured in the lives of millions of people who will never hear these speeches or read our statements. But it would be the proper vocation of political leadership; and the United Nations would live up to its name. So let us do it. Speech in Text  or Video

Note to Gayyoom
Maldivian Students in Malaysia calls for Gayoom's resignation
The past and current behaviour of the government of president Gayoom has proven clearly that the time has come for the student community of the nation to condemn and ask the president to resign immediately. more

Business news
'Working Together To Promote Hospitality And Tourism'
India and Maldives recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote intra-regional tourism within each country. A key focus of that agreement is to further relations through hospitality projects. In conversation, Dr Mahamood Shougee, minister of tourism and civil aviation, Maldives informs Savio Rodrigues about the new developments…more

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Saturday 17 September 2005

OHCHR Media Release
OHCHR issues clarification on recent meeting between High Commissioner and Maldives President
Geneva, 16 September 2005 -- Mr. Diaz said he wanted to clarify something for the record. The High Commissioner had met with the President of the Maldives on 15 September, and subsequently, there had been a statement from the authorities in the Maldives saying the High Commissioner had praised the Government for the measures taken to improve human rights. more

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Business News

Fear rising over Rufiyaa devaluation and fake notes in circulation

Male' - Reliable sources in the financial sector of the government are forecasting that local currency Rufiyaa will be devalued over the coming weeks. "We are concerned about this very much and there are indications that the exchange rate for US$ will increase by more than 2 Rufiyaa to Mrf 15/- per US$." more

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Friday 16 September 2005

Minivan News
Sheikh Fareed Denies he is an Extremist; Accuses the Maldivian Government of Framing him as a Terrorist
Upon his release today from confinement, Sheikh Fareed gave an exclusive interview to Minivan Radio, in which he described how the government of Maldives arrested and detained him on several occasions beginning June 8th, 2002. Fareed also briefly provided an account of the psychological harassment and physical torture that he received at the hands of the security forces. more

Listen to the Audio Interview from Minivan Radio

News from UN
HURRY up and wait... at the UN
I see someone who looks South Asian: "Are you with the Indian delegation?" No, he says, he is with the Maldives president's security detail. more

Business News
Pakistan tops South Asia in reforming pace, Maldives 31st according to IFC report
ISLAMABAD, Sept 15 : Falling in top ten reforming countries of the world, Pakistan has topped the South Asian region in reforming pace, says an International Finance Corporation (IFC) annual report providing for the first time ranking on reforms and regulations. more

Local News
Another re-arrest in Addu
Addu - Hassan Zahid of Red Bird, Hithadhoo, a Dhiraagu staff in Addu, has been rearrested again yesterday evening. Earlier he was amongst those who were arrested on 17th August in relation to the unrest in Male' on Black Friday and the days that followed.

Many Adduan and reformists from all over the country still remain in detention without charge. There are also reports that Gayyoom's militia is taking statements from his staunch supporters in order to convict some of the Addu community leaders who still remain in detention. This is very much the same trick they are trying to use against MDP Chairman Nasheed, which appears to be back firing for Gayyoom.

Editorial
Travelling is not the biggest challenge faced by the Maldives health sector
World Health Organization donated two speed boats to be used in the health sector of Maldives this week. This was part of the aid WHO collected to help Maldives after the tsunami last December. more

Column by Ali Rasheed
Only a matter of time
The end is nigh and President Gayyoom, wavering on the edge of a precipice looks as though the slightest nudge could send him plummeting down into a political abyss. more

New Website Launched

FreeAnni.org

They were sitting here peacefully on 12 th August in remembrance of the same day, one year back. The day famous as the Black Friday, the day on which lot of democratic activists were arrested, beaten and tortured. The same happened this time too. The people who were so quite and calm were arrested. visit freeanni.com

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Thursday 15 September 2005

Local News
Sheikh Fareed is free
Male' - Confirmed sources say that Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed has been freed as he had served the required time after a deliberate sentence was passed on him in a rush last year.  He had been in detention since August 2004. Fareed is a vocal critic of Gayyoom and have spent years in solitary confinement before.

Mainichi Daily News - Japan
90,000 on Maldives still face drinking water shortages after tsunami
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- About 90,000 residents of the Maldives still have shortages of potable water nearly nine months after the Asian tsunami slammed into the Indian Ocean archipelago and contaminated supplies, a U.N. report said Wednesday. more

International Freedom of Expressions eXchange
IFEX members decry arrests of Journalists, Protestors
IFEX members are calling attention to censorship in the Maldives, where writers and journalists are among more than 100 people who have been arbitrarily detained and allegedly beaten and tortured following peaceful protests against the government in the capital, Male'. more

Special Report

Addu pays tribute to its heroes

Addu Atoll is undoubtedly the most politically active Atoll in the Maldives. Results from the last general election is a fitting example of that. However, in the aftermath of the disturbances in Male', hundreds of miles away from Addu, several key reformists and community leaders were kidnapped from their homes by Gayyom's militia in the middle of the night. Some of whom have since been released but some key people are still in detention. more

Blast from the past
The talk of press freedom comes with very high price in the Maldives
If there's one group of people that suffered the most in the hands of dictator Gayoom it had to be writers. From social, historical, news to even religious writers, no one had been spared by this brutal regime. It makes sense; Dictatorship like this wouldn't survive with a free press. more

Local News
Sheikh Fareed expected to be freed today
Male' - Confirmed sources say that Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed who has been in jail since August 2004 is expected to be released today as he has now served the required time after a deliberate sentence was passed on him in a rush last year.
Fareed has previously spend nearly 2 years in solitary confinement and all because he speaks his mind and give speeches on corruption and so on.
Sheikh Fareed is a much loved and respect scholar and a prominent reformist who played a major role in the Black Friday 2004. He was severely beaten by Gayyoom police after he was arrested whilst at home. Sheikh Fareed is expected to join Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and continue his call for respect for island, justice and freedom.
 

Reuters
Main issues at U.N. summit
The U.N. General Assembly has approved a document that world leaders will endorse at a three-day summit beginning on Wednesday. Main issues are: DEVELOPMENT - Affirms existing "Millennium Development Goals" that set timetables to halve poverty for the poorest of the poor, provide elementary education and halt the spread of AIDS. Calls on countries "to make concrete efforts to achieve the target of 0.7 percent" of their gross national product for foreign aid but is weak on breaking down trade barriers for developing nations. more

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Wednesday 14 September 2005

Special Announcement

"FREEDOM MARCH" from 14 - 21 September '05

Despite being a constitutional right, we are barred from holding any public rally or demonstration. When we apply for permission we get arrested and tortured so there is no point in applying. It is therefore better for us to just do it and hope for the best. With the international community firmly behind our cause we can expect good results each and every time. more

 ANALYSIS
Dreaming democracy in Maldives - A manifesto for the future as the atoll prepares for its first elections
Maldives can be a democratic state with Islam as its spiritual foundation, a state which promotes the moral and creative development of the people. It can be an example to all Islamic states which aspire to create open societies. It can emerge as a modern state which safeguards the individual rights of its people and promotes their aspirations for higher levels achievement. Maldives can be that modern liberal state, riding the crest of technological progress, engaging with its neighbours in the frontline of social and economic development, and an example to the rest of the world with its dynamism and youthful energy. more

UNICEF Press Release
UNICEF launches vital national infant and child feeding survey
Today, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health start a nationwide survey on infant and child feeding. This will be the most detailed and wide spread nutritional study of children ever done in the Maldives. The results will provide essential data for UNICEF to develop and expand its work in the areas of breastfeeding and young child nutrition. more

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Tuesday 13 September 2005

Local News
Two more reformists from Thinadhoo arrested
Thinadhoo - Two more reformists have been ordered to appear at police HQ in Male' at their own expense. They had to travel with their own money and are now being reportedly held in Dhoonidho prison. Ahmed Sodig of Thedhu Ui House and Mohamed Hussain Didi (known to family and friends as Dhathuthube') of Hundhoos are both businessman who work and live in their native island Thinadhoo. more

Publius Pundit
Citizen's journalism in the Maldives 
The Maldives is a small archipelago country located just 500 miles south of India. To European tourists, it is a quaint, charming breath of fresh air that conjures up fantasies of sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, sun-filled days and moon-lit nights. The four star hotels are exquisite, the food likewise, and the locals sweeter than grandma's homemade pie. more 

Review

Is it the final goodbye?

Maldives Dictator Gayyoom is on his way to New York to participate in the UN General Assembly. This morning he waved a final goodbye before boarding the plane but it did not bear the hallmarks of a real final goodbye, which most Maldivians would wish for. more

Dhonhassanu Column

Dictator Gayoom lies to the World on recent civil unrest in Maldives

Recently appointed Chief Government Spokesmen of Maldives Mr Frog Mundood is certainly no different than his predecessor, the so called Sahaaf of Maldives, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, who has a habit of lying on the BBC and the world media at large. Only a month ago, the Sahaaf of Maldives was promoted to the post of foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle by Dictator Gayoom, who is the longest serving Muslim ruler on earth. Just like his predecessor, Frog Mundood is also doing what he can to salvage Gayoom's sinking ship and misinform the international community about the so called reform process in Maldives. more

Review

The Meeting of "Father Oppression" and "Son Opposition"

It is now more or less three decades the "Small Island Nation of Maldives" has been suffering in the hands of a tyrant government installed by the DICTATOR MAUMOON. If we look at our History or past events, leaving the epics and propaganda's spread by GAYOOM aside allowing the true facts surface, it will broaden our perspective about the level of suppression and aggression this government has forced Maldivians in. It depicts a very clear picture that tells us we had only experienced three constitutional governments, since abolishing kingdom, and the time period they stayed in power. more

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