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Alerts - Maldives

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Maldives

IFJ deeply concerned by attack on broadcast studio

DhiTV was attacked on the early hours of 26 January after the station had broadcast live coverage of opposition protests at the recent arrest of a judge by the Special Forces the previous evening.

Maldives

Leading journalist released, his blog remains banned

Ismail Kilath “Hilath” Rasheed’s blog was closed on 19 November on the grounds that it contained anti-Islamic material.

Maldives

Journalist detained, charges unclear

Ismail Kilath "Hilath" Rasheed was arrested because of his involvement in a "silent protest" for more religious tolerance that was held on Human Rights Day.

Maldives

Government shuts down blog in climate of growing religious intolerance

According to Ismail Khilath Rasheed, the Islamic affairs ministry had his blog in its sights because he is a Sufi Muslim, not a Sunni like most Maldivians, and has always been critical of religious fundamentalism.

Maldives

IFJ concerned over police investigation into journalist's sources

The Maldives Journalists' Association has protested a decision by police to summon editor Mohamed Jinah Ali for questioning regarding the authenticity of a news report.

Maldives

Police interrogation of journalists sets unhealthy precedent, says IFJ

Two journalists from the daily "Haveeru" were summoned for interrogation after the newspaper carried a story about a pornographic video racket.

Maldives

Journalists attacked by riot police

The Maldives Journalists' Association said the journalists were reporting on a protest organised by the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party.

Maldives

IFJ concerned about increasing hostility against independent media

"The physical and verbal attacks on media organisations . . . could create an environment that would be adverse to press freedom in the country," says IFJ.

Maldives

Defamation decriminalised

The Maldives parliament passed an amendment to the Penal Code abolishing five articles related to criminal defamation.

Maldives

A series of incidents revives concern about press freedom

RSF urges the Maldivian authorities and political parties to show full respect for journalists, including those working for media outlets that do not share their views.

Maldives

Stop prosecuting criminal defamation cases

ARTICLE 19 calls on the Maldivian authorities to abolish the crime of defamation, replacing it with appropriate civil defamation rules.

Maldives

Police arrest "Minivan Daily" photographer

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the police in the capital Malé to explain exactly why they arrested "Minivan Daily" photographer Ibrahim Jauhuree on 30 March 2008 for allegedly "harassing a police officer." He is reportedly still being held in Malé. His arrest comes two weeks after he told colleagues and superiors that a police officer had threatened to arrest him if he did not hand over a video of parliamentarian Ahmed Shafeeq being beaten by police in 2006.

Maldives

Political affairs reporter banned from Parliament

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the secretary of the Maldives parliament, the People's Majlis, to rescind a ban on reporter Lushan Saeed of the daily "Miadhu" from entering the parliament building until the end of the year. Saeed, who specialises in parliamentary affairs, was notified of the ban in a letter from the parliament's secretariat on 17 September 2007.

Maldives

International mission urges amendments to draft press freedom bill

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:

Maldives

Photographer released after nine days in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Ahmed Rifah, a photographer with the opposition "Minivan Daily" newspaper, was freed on 10 June 2007 after being held for nine days. He has not been charged.

Maldives

"Minivan Daily" photographer arrested when police break up prayer meeting

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the interior minister to have news photographer Ahmed Rifah of the opposition "Minivan Daily" released. Rifah was arrested as he left an allegedly illegal prayer meeting on 1 June 2007 in a mosque near the capital, Male, during which he took photos of participants. Scuffles broke out during the meeting. The police seized his press card and took him to Dhoonidhoo prison, where he told colleagues he thought the authorities intended to charge him with attacking police officers.

Maldives

"Minivan Daily" columnist questioned, charges against one of its editors dropped, those against another reduced; "E-Sandhaanu" editor released

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Maldives

ARTICLE 19 recommends amendments to draft broadcasting bill to better protect free expression

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 9 March 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Maldives

Opposition website's reporter expelled, banned for two years

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the expulsion of US journalist Phillip Wellman on 19 January 2007 and a decision to ban him from returning to the Maldives for two years on the grounds that his visa was not in order. Wellman works for the office of the news website http://www.Minivannews.com that is located in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.

Maldives

International press freedom mission concerned by lack of progress on democratic reforms

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 4 December 2006 open letter to Information and Arts Minister Mohamed Nasheed from the International Mission for Press Freedom in the Maldives, which includes RSF, ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists and two other organisations:

Maldives

Two foreign journalists expelled; cartoonist arrested; editors charged with "disobedience to order"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the attitude of the Maldivian authorities, who recently expelled two foreign journalists ( including one working for the online newspaper http://www.Minivannews.com ), arrested an opposition cartoonist, and backtracked on plans to end the state's broadcast media monopoly.

Maldives

Writer and leading opposition politician Mohamed Nasheed freed from house arrest

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of opposition politician and writer Mohamed Nasheed, who was freed from house arrest on 21 September 2006. It is expected that the charges against him of terrorism and sedition will be dropped soon.

Maldives

Authorities urged not to send journalist Abdullah "Fahala" Saeed back to prison

(RSF/IFEX) - The South Asia Press Commission and Reporters Without Borders has appealed to interior minister Ahmed Thasmeen Ali not to send Abdullah "Fahala" Saeed back to prison at the end of a special leave granted to visit his family in Male, which began on 30 July 2006.

Maldives

"Minivan" correspondent freed after being held more than three months

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has hailed the release on 24 July 2006 of Mohamed Yushau, a correspondent of the opposition newspaper "Minivan", who had been held on a terrorism charge since 9 April after publicly opposing the leader of the atoll of Thinadhoo at a conference. He has also often written about the difficult living conditions of Maldivians.

Maldives

Freedom of Press Bill must be amended to live up to its name, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:

Maldives

Media legislation, harassment and intimidation all barriers to free expression, reports mission

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a joint statement by members of the Press Freedom Mission to Maldives:

Maldives

Three international press freedom monitors assaulted by riot police, at least six others arrested, following government crackdown on World Press Freedom Day celebrations

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ press release:

Maldives

Ongoing attacks on press freedom amid plan for reform, warns ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 3 May 2006 joint statement by ARTICLE 19 and the organisation Friends of Maldives:

Maldives

"Minivan" journalist sentenced to life imprisonment; editor charged; another journalist questioned

(RSF/IFEX) - The conviction on 19 April 2006 of "Minivan" journalist Abdullah Saeed and his sentence to life imprisonment was engineered by the authorities in order to harm the country's only opposition newspaper, Reporters Without Borders has said, calling for his retrial by an impartial court and urging President Gayoom to keep his promise to allow more press freedom.

Maldives

New offensive against "Minivan"newspaper, with one correspondent arrested and another prosecuted

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep concern about a wave of harassment and arrests of journalists working for the opposition newspaper "Minivan".

Maldives

CPJ urges fair, transparent trial for journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Maldives

CPJ welcomes release of internet journalist, dissident; independent media still under pressure

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 February 2006 CPJ press release:

Maldives

Colombo-based exile radio station and website raided: Maldivian government accused of manipulating Interpol

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has accused the Maldivian government of repeatedly manipulating Interpol after ten Sri Lankan police officers raided the Colombo premises of radio Minivan and the Minivannews.com website, which broadcast from exile, on 28 December 2005 in a search for arms that was prompted by baseless claims by the Maldivian authorities.

Maldives

Journalist Jennifer Latheef let out of prison for 10 days for health reasons

(RSF/IFEX) - Journalist Jennifer Latheef returned to her home in Malé on 21 December 2005 after being given 10 days leave from prison for health reasons. Doctors have prescribed physiotherapy for spinal column injuries. They have also recommended rest for mental exhaustion.

Maldives

Campaign to free Jennifer Latheef grows as her third month in prison ends

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the organisation Friends of Maldives are taking part in a mounting international campaign for the release of the daily "Minivan"'s young photojournalist Jennifer Latheef, who is completing her third month of a 10-year prison sentence for a supposed "terrorist act."

Maldives

Journalist Jennifer Latheef sentenced to 10 years in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced outrage at the 10-year prison sentence imposed on 18 October 2005 on journalist and human rights activist Jennifer Latheef for a supposed "terrorist act," adding that she had been the victim of a political trial.

Maldives

Two "Minivan Daily" journalists arrested

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called for the release of journalists Mohamed Nasheed (alias Colonel Nasheed) and Abdullah Saeed, both from the opposition publication "Minivan Daily", who have been arrested in the capital Malé.

Maldives

Journalist on trial amid continuing crackdown on press

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has appealed for clemency 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.

Maldives

WiPC seriously concerned about health of detained Internet writer Ahmed Didi

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release of Internet writer Mohamed Zaki, who was unconditionally released on 18 August 2005. However, PEN remains seriously concerned about the continued detention of fellow writer Ahmed Ibrahim Didi, who is serving a fifteen-year sentence for writing articles for "Sandhaanu", an Internet publication critical of the authorities. Didi and Zaki were detained in early 2002 with Ibrahim Moosa Luthfee, now in exile, and Fathimath Nisreen, who was amnestied on 9 May 2005. All were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement with "Sandhaanu".

Maldives

Writer and leading opposition politician Mohamed Nasheed charged with "terrorism" and "sedition"

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN has protested the decision to charge opposition politician and writer Mohamed Nasheed with terrorism and sedition for "inciting violence against the president" in a speech he made in July. Nasheed was among several members of a newly established opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), arrested on 12 August 2005 during a peaceful protest in Malé.

Maldives

Cyber-dissident Mohamed Zaki freed

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has cautiously welcomed the release of cyber-dissident Mohamed Zaki after two years in prison and 19 months under house arrest. The organisation also called on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to send a "positive signal" to the world by freeing other journalists still being detained, including two arrested several days ago.

Maldives

International PEN protests arrest of writer Mohamed Nasheed, fears ill-treatment

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the arrest of opposition politician and writer Mohamed Nasheed, who was among several members of the newly established opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), arrested on 12 August 2005 during a peaceful protest in Malé. Nasheed was reportedly beaten by police after being detained.

Maldives

Journalists targeted in crackdown on pro-democracy opposition

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over a wave of press freedom violations in recent weeks in the Maldives, which culminated in the arrests of several journalists and the closure of the only opposition publication. This follows the arrest and detention of Mohamed Nasheed, leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), on 12 August 2005.

Maldives

Internet service provider employee detained

(RSF/IFEX) - On 1 May 2005, Ismail Faiz, a systems engineer with the country's sole Internet service provider, Dhiraagu, was arrested and detained. Although he was officially accused of "terrorism", "incitement to violence" and "attempting to overthrow the government", he is reportedly being held for working with the London-based opposition website Dhivehi Observer.

Maldives

Free elections threatened by lack of pluralism, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned that the 22 January 2005 elections in the Maldives have virtually no chance of being free and fair, as promised by the government, because of a striking absence of press freedom in the country.

China / International / Maldives / Vietnam

WiPC protests growing attacks on "cyber-dissent", launches global campaign to release cyber-dissidents in China, Maldives and Vietnam

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a WiPC press statement:

Maldives

Cyber-dissident gives first-person account of abuses suffered in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF press release:

Maldives

Cyber-dissident Fathimath Nisreen "banished" again

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed cyber-dissident Fathimath Nisreen's release from prison on 25 October 2004. However, the organisation denounced the news that she would be transferred within a few days to Feeail Island, south of the capital, to resume serving a five-year "banishment" sentence.

Maldives

RSF concerned over fate of four cyber-dissidents two months after their arrest

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern about four cyber-dissidents - Mohamed Zaki, Ahmad Didi, Fathimath Nisreen and Naushad Waheed - arrested on 13 August 2004 as police broke up a pro-democracy demonstration. The organisation says it is especially worried about their prison conditions and has called for their immediate release.

Maldives

Cyber-dissidents jailed, one tortured in detention

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on the European Union (EU) to obtain the release of four cyber-dissidents, including three persons working for the online newsletter "Sandhaanu", who have been jailed since police broke up a 13 August 2004 pro-democracy demonstration. One of the detainees, Ahmad Didi, has been tortured and is reported to be in critical condition.

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