Politics

MDP accuses Elections Commission of double standards

The EC had threatened to take action against the main opposition party over the use of the UN logo in the November 27 protest. The MDP had printed the blue emblem on t-shirts and banners urging President Abdulla Yameen to release former President Mohamed Nasheed as recommended by a UN human rights panel in September.

Jailed ex-MP in Singapore for medical treatment

Nazim was unable to leave as scheduled last Sunday despite permission from the Maldives Correctional Services. The department of immigration had seized his passport on orders from Supreme Court in early February this year.

Discipline trumps democracy, says Yameen

Maldivians have failed to achieve the same level of development as Singapore due to a lack of good behaviour and discipline, President Abdulla Yameen said this morning.

Nasheed to appeal sentence at Supreme Court

Nasheed’s lawyers told the press today that the former president has always called for a “political solution” to his jailing, but President Abdulla Yameen has repeatedly insisted that Nasheed must exhaust the appeal process to be eligible for a pardon.

Yameen slams Western “double standards” against Maldives

Colonel detained over boat blast challenges administrative detention

Colonel Ahmed ‘Papa’ Fayaz’s lawyer has challenged his administrative detention at the military barracks, seeking an order declaring the senior officer’s continuing detention arbitrary and illegal.

Pro-democracy NGO warns of Maldives backsliding into repression

“The past seven years have seen the Maldives leap forward and just as quickly regress heavily in the rights arena,” the MDN said in a statement released today on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. “The rights to association, assembly, expression and life can no longer be assured for the people living in the Maldives and this is unacceptable for human rights defenders.”

Maldives’ reputation ‘tarnished by human rights violations’

The current administration’s breach of international human rights conventions has tarnished the country’s reputation, says the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, as the government insists “the Maldives has made extraordinary progress in guaranteeing human rights.”

Calls grow for “extraordinary measures to tackle grand corruption”

“Corruption continues to undermine development by promoting wastage, has eroded public confidence in key institutions and victimise vulnerable communities in Maldivian society,” Transparency Maldives has said.

Supreme Courts orders police investigation against ex-vice president’s lawyer

A police spokesperson confirmed that Hussain Shameem is under investigation, but declined to reveal the nature of the charges against the former deputy prosecutor general. The Department of Judicial Administration, which functions under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, also refused to provide details.

Yameen lauds India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy

“All SAARC Member States must work collectively together to deliver human security for our people, and ensure that terrorist organisations have no room to spread their venom in the region,” Yameen said.

Death sentence on a “coerced confession” prompts concern

The high court has sentenced a man to death based on a murder confession he had retracted in court, prompting concern that the verdict heralds a return to the tradition of confession-based sentencing, instead of building cases on solid evidence.

State-owned flats leased to president’s son

Two state-owned flats in Malé have been leased to President Abdulla Yameen’s son below market price with the consent of the anti-corruption watchdog. Each two-bedroom apartments in the Muraidhoo house – formerly part of the presidential palace – was leased for a monthly rent of MVR12,000.

Home minister reveals Nasheed’s medical condition in a tweet

Home Minister Umar Naseer revealed today jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s medical condition, prompting an outcry on social media over the release of confidential information.

Former government officials escape prosecution over GMR dispute

Ex Finance Minister Ahmed Inaz, former Maldives Airports Company Ltd Chairman ‘Bandhu’ Ahmed Saleem, and former members of the MACL board of directors will not be charged over an alteration to a concession agreement with GMR that the anti-corruption watchdog claims cost the state millions in revenue.

Cameron’s Maldives comments “not true”

UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s claim that the Maldives has been placed on the Commonwealth’s watch is not true, the foreign ministry has said.

Row over distribution of relief funds for victims of Addu City flooding

The involvement of a ruling party MP in distributing disaster relief funds for victims of flooding in Addu City has sparked controversy with an opposition MP alleging discrimination between pro-government and opposition-supporting constituencies.

‘Political prisoners’ awaiting permission to travel abroad for medical care

Families of former President Mohamed Nasheed, former defence minister Mohamed Nazim and former MP Ahmed Nazim are petitioning the state to allow the three to travel abroad for medical care. Nasheed requires a backbone surgery for slipped discs, lawyers said today.

Forensic test finds Nasheed’s house-imprisonment document authentic

Lawyers said foreign forensic experts had compared the July 19 document with similar documents provided by the Maldives Correctional Services and found that the same government ink stamp was used on all three documents.

Yameen appoints new police chief

President Abdulla Yameen has appointed a new police chief more than a month after sacking the former commissioner of police on an allegation of politicising the police force.