Reference No: 104/08/2012
13 September 2012

MDP Welcomes Mr. Robert Blake’s Statement

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) welcomes US Assistant Secretary Robert Blake’s call on the Government to implement the recommendations in the report by the Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI). The MDP is strongly of the view it is crucial the Government and independent institutions to seriously look into the human rights abuse and launch a vigorous investigation on 6, 7 & 8th February 2012.

The MDP reiterates and emphasizes the urgent need to reform the existing institutions, particularly the judiciary, Maldives Police Services and the Maldives National Defence Forces. In this regard, MDP also welcomes the American Government’s decision to extend support to these institutions on human rights training.

The MDP joins the call by the Assistant Secretary urging the Government to take “clear and visible” disciplinary action against wrongdoers and to launch a credible investigation into human rights abuse stated in the reports by the CoNI, Amnesty International[1], Human Rights Commission, the Police Integrity Commission, the UN Human Rights Committee, Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights[2][3]

The MDP remains deeply disturbed by the recent remarks in the media by Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Minister of Home Affairs stating the Government will not take action against police brutality. Similar statements were made by the Attorney General, the Defence Minister and the Commissioner of Police. Furthermore, it is unacceptable that independent institutions, including the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives have not responded to Government’s refusal to investigate police brutality.

Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, MDP spokesperson for International Affairs states, “We are committed to reforming the independent institutions, particularly the police and the military. We are encouraged by the statement made by the Assistant Secretary. It is crucial that the international community stays with us and remain vigilant on what is going on. CoNI report is not the end of the line.”

ENDS

Hamid Abdul Ghafoor
Spokesperson, International Affairs
Mobile: +9607778285
Tel: +9603340044

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[1] http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA29/005/2012/en/6d93c0bb-67f0-4688-b22a-b8c115e83f52/asa290052012en.pdf
[2] http://www.fidh.org/The-Maldives-the-international ,
[3] http://www.fidh.org/From-sunrise-to-sunset-Maldives-12158