“Maldivians must rise against terrorism”: Attorney General

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Thursday of a US Bureau of Diplomatic Security-organised program titled “Police Leaders Role in Combating Terrorism”, aimed at training senior officers in counter-terrorism tactics, Bisham said the September 2007 Sultan Park bombing was the first incident that demonstrated terrorism had found its root in the Maldives, and that it was an undeniable that terrorism was spreading widely in the country.

“Acts of terrorism are spreading wildly in various countries across the world. And we are now in a position where we must keep vigilant to see if their acts have found their way into the Maldives and if such acts are spreading across the country,” Bisham is quoted as saying in local media.

Referring to Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam’s remarks earlier in the week, Bisham echoed that a number of Maldivian youth had enrolled themselves in terrorist groups and training camps abroad.

The Attorney General called this “a significant warning of looming threats” and stated it is important that Maldivians stood up against the dangers of terrorism through training and awareness programs, and how such programs need to be implemented more widely in a manner where general citizens are also included.

While noting the importance of strengthening the legislative framework governing the issue, Bisham said it will prove difficult for a country like Maldives to battle the threats of terrorism and said that it was necessary to seek international assistance to better deal with the issue.

Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam earlier this week warned of rising threats of terrorism attacks in the Maldives, cautioning against assuming the country was completely safe from attacks simply based on the fact that no major terrorist activities have been uncovered in the country to date.

He warned that there was an increased risk of terrorist attacks stemming from “religious extremism and political turmoil,” but noted that while messages encouraging such activities were circulating on social media, these focused mainly against a certain group of people, or to encourage youth to partake in activities of ‘jihad’.

“Regardless of how these dangers come forth to us, ultimately the result is the same: that is the destruction of our nation’s social fabric,” Major General Shiyam said.

The US State Department’s 2012 Report on International Religious Freedom notes that, especially following the February 7 controversial transfer of power, there has been an increased pressure in the Maldives to conform to a “stricter interpretation of Islamic practices.”

The report highlighted that there have been increased reports of religious freedom abuses. Concerns were also raised over government restriction of religious freedom.

“There was an increasing use of religion in political rhetoric, which led to derogatory statements about Christianity and Judaism, and harassment of citizens calling for a more tolerant interpretation of Islam. Anti-Semitic rhetoric among conservative parties continued,” the report said.

The report also referred to statements made by President Waheed, who came to office following last year’s transfer of power.

“During the year, President Waheed warned the nation that foreign parties were attempting to influence the country’s ideology and promote secularism; he urged citizens to resist these impulses,” the report read.

The report further pointed out instances of societal harassment and abuse targeted against citizens, especially women, who do not conform to strict guidelines seen as acceptable under narrow interpretations of Islam.