27 February 2012


CONDEMNING ATROCITIES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF ADDU CITY






Maldivian Democratic Party Addu City condemns, in the strongest terms possible, the violent acts by a group of people in Police and Maldivian National Defence Force uniforms who broke into the main headquarters of MDP in Hithadhoo (Addu City) by smashing the glass windows and beat up several MDP members who were inside the headquarters watching the live coverage of an MDP rally being held in Dhidhdhoo island. MDP Addu City equally condemns the ransacking of the property and infrastructure of the MDP headquarters, as well as other private property, including motorbikes, beyond further use.


Further, in the late hours of the same night, several of MDP women members and elderly people who were present at the MDP headquarters in the island of Feydhoo (Addu City) were verbally abused and removed from the premises by the security forces, before cutting the power and vandalising the headquarters beyond further use. The security forces also vandalised a public stage in Maradhoo built by President Nasheed’s government. MDP Addu City therefore also condemns all these acts by the security forces in the strongest terms possible.


MDP Addu City notes with concern that the security personnel used excessive force against MDP members who were peacefully demonstrating against the illegal regime in Hithadhoo on Sunday night. We note with great concern that several persons were injured when pepper spray and batons were used indiscriminately without any consideration to children, women and the elderly.


MDP Addu City believes the visit by the Head of the current illegal regime to Addu City, without any regard to Addu City Council’s decree rejecting the regime, was an attempt to pave the way for unrest and cause harm to the people of Addu City. MDP Addu City condemns this attempt by the Head of the illegal government and expresses solidarity with the people who peacefully demonstrated against the illegal government. This visit has further shown the current regime has no public support or legitimacy.


MDP Addu City also note with great concern that the Police and MNDF had also used private individuals, who are cooperating with the illegal regime, in the inhuman acts against the people of Addu City on Sunday.


MDP Addu City would like to use this opportunity to reiterate its calls on all MDP members in the Addu City to continue their peaceful protest against the illegal regime until presidential election dates are announced.

ENDS