Blogging the democratic revolution
The Maldives — tourist paradise on the shores and repressive regime on the inside. Last August thousands of people protested against the criminal nature of President Gayoom’s government. It’s schooled in the way of the Egyptians, putting down basic human liberties and those of women most of all. No democratic opposition is allowed to exist. It is a quagmire of mob-like financial schemes and regional powers like India that don’t care to see change come to the country. When those people went out to protest initially, they went out even harder after opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed was taped being arrested…
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. But travel guides leave out one essential detail that fails to stand out amid the romanticism: an island dictator that compares much better to Fidel Castro than to Tony Blair. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who many natives conspicuously refer to as “the…
The tyrannical government of Maldives is charging opposition MDP Chairman Mohamed Nasheed on counts of terrorism after he was detained last Friday. TVM and Voice of Maldives, the state-run media in Maldives, has announced that the Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party, Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), is to be charged for terrorism. State run media said Nasheed is to be charged under the terrorism act????????s article 6 (b) with reference to 2 (g) Article 2(g) states, ???????any act or the attempt to commit an act that may instill fear among the people or threaten life, person or property of any person verbally…
PREVIOUS POSTS, BACKGROUND: HERE LATEST PHOTOS: HERE, and HERE. It took nearly a week, but international NGOs and human rights organizations are starting to condemn the crackdown in Maldives. I’m rather surprised that they even know about it, given that Reuters gave up after its two token pieces toeing the government line. Reporter Without Borders jumps on top and tackles the regime for its brutal destruction of press freedoms in the past few weeks, including the closure of the only opposition newspaper and the arrest of several journalists. Article 19, an NGO that promotes global freedom of expression, has written…
PREVIOUS POSTS, BACKGROUND: HERE. LATEST PHOTOS: HERE. The democratic revolution in Maldives continues, with the situation turning downward by the second. Following the arrest of opposition MDC chairperson Nasheed at a peaceful sit-in on the anniversary of Black Friday, and the subsequent protests and mass detentions, violence is escalating on both sides. Opposition supporters, including children, the elderly, and even a pregnant woman are being beaten and arrested. Some protestors are throwing molotov cocktails at riot police as they are hailed by rubber bullets. Portions of the police forces have turned on the government and are also being detained. Yet…
YESTERDAY’S REPORT, MORE BACKGROUND: HERE! LATEST PHOTOS: HERE! The democratic revolution in Maldives continues, with the government continuously arresting protestors and opposition leaders. All major news affiliates are completely ignoring this story. There is absolutely nothing. A total blackout. The only news is coming from from local sources, thouse being Minivan News and the Dhivehi Observer. Here is the very latest since this morning. SUNDAY 14TH (to Maldives time) 12:27AM: MALE: Police moving into Maafanu ward of the capital 12:17AM: MALE: Protestors shouting loudly for the resignation of President Gayoom on Maaveyomagu 12:13AM: MALE: Lots of shouting reported near Majeedhimagu…
It’s the anniversary of “Black Friday,” when exactly a year ago riots broke out across the country of Maldives. The protestors were challenging President Gayoom and his 25 year presidency over the arrest of reformists. They demanded free, fair, and transparent multi-party elections. Real reforms. Real democracy. What began as an unprecedented and unplanned rally, the largest in Maldives’ history, ended in a violent security forces crackdown on protestors, reformists, and even government ministers. Ever since then, amid internal and international pressure, Gayoom has had to try his hand at reform without much enthusiasm. He’d dish it out and then…