17 November 2006
AUTHORITIES CRACK DOWN ON FREE EXPRESSION PRIOR TO OPPOSITION RALLY
Authorities in the Maldives launched a sweeping crackdown on freedom of expression and opposition activists in the lead-up to a major demonstration planned for 10 November 2006, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontieres, RSF).
Scores of arrests were made across the country, and two foreign journalists were deported, in the two weeks prior to the demonstration date. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which organised the unauthorised rally, said the aim was to push for more rapid democratic reform.
Among those arrested was Ahmed Abbas, well-known for his critical cartoons published in the online newspaper "Minivan News" and on opposition websites. He was detained on 3 November after leaving the U.N. offices where he had sought asylum. Abbas was taken to Maafushi prison to serve a six-month sentence for "disobedience," of which he had been convicted in absentia.
Meanwhile, Phillip Wellman, an American national who worked for "Minivan", and Graham Quick, an English photojournalist with Britain's "Observer" newspaper, were arrested on 3 November. They were questioned and expelled the following day. A government spokesperson told RSF the journalists' arrest and expulsion was justified because of their "activism."
The government has accused the opposition of trying to foment an insurrection and accused "Minivan" of calling for the assassination of President Abdul Gayoom.
The opposition protest was called off at the last minute following what organisers called a "sustained campaign of government harassment," reports the BBC. The MDP said more than 100 of its activists had been arrested. A party official said the decision to cancel the protest was taken to prevent MDP supporters from coming to harm.
Meanwhile, the government has also backtracked on a promise to end the state's broadcasting monopoly on 31 October, notes RSF. On 1 November, the Information Ministry announced that, in the absence of legislation to regulate private sector broadcasting, the end of the state monopoly has been delayed.
Visit these links:
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19610
- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=4358&Language=EN
- Freedom House 2006 "Freedom of the Press" report: http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&country=7010&year=2006
- Amnesty International: http://www.amnesty.org.au/news_features/news/hrs/protests_in_paradise_repression_in_the_maldives
- "Minivan News": http://minivannews.com
- BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6133636.stm
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