The conference is being held in Kulhudhuffushi City with Councillors from our 3 Northernmost atolls, WDC members, Party leadership. 55 Councillors from Bodu Thiladhunmathi are present along with Mayors from 5 cities. The event aims to discuss the powers guaranteed to Councils under the Decentralisation Act, and achievements ushered in by MDP’s legislation. With further discussions as to how Councils’ administrative capacities can be expanded and strengthened. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, MDP President Abdulla Shahid, Former Vice President Faisal Naseem and other senior members from the Party leadership are attending the event. A declaration will be signed and published by the Councillors attending the event, with a collective call to the Government addressing potential reforms.

Ibrahim Waheed

The Maldivian Democratic Party is hosting ‘#LaamarukazeeGulhun – Councillors Conference’ in our continued support for decentralisation.

The Maldivian Democratic Party calls on the international community to enforce the ICJ ruling to halt Israel’s military offensive in Rafah, and allow humanitarian aid into city. The ruling reaffirms the urgency with which international bodies must act to stop Israel’s genocide in Palestine. Despite the mounting pressure, Israel has continued to perpetrate unimaginable atrocities against the Palestinian people. This disregard for international rule-of-law threatens the security of the entire region and beyond. The rights of Palestinian people have been ignored for too long. Countries and international organisations must seize this opportunity to voice their condemnation of Israel, and unite to enforce the ICJ’s ruling. We pray to Almighty Allah for an end to the suffering of Palestinians, and justice for all they have endured.

MDP calls to enforce the ICJ ruling against Israel

Attorney General announced he has ordered the police and the military not to follow rulings issued by the Supreme Court. In a hastily arranged press conference in Male’ early this morning, Attorney-General Mohamed Anil (flanked by the Chief of Defense, General Shiyam, and the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Abdulla Nawaz) effectively declared himself the chief judicial authority in the Maldives and ordered the police and the military not to follow rulings issued by the Supreme Court. This represents an unconstitutional, highly illegal, and dangerous attempt by the Attorney General and President Yameen to usurp the powers of the judiciary. AG Anil said he had reports that the Supreme Court would rule today that President Yameen can not longer hold office, following the president’s refusal to comply with Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling ordering the release of 9 political prisoners and the reinstatement of 12 opposition MPs. Anil further said that as the Attorney General, under 133 of the Constitution he has the legal mandate to advise on all legal matters. “[I] will not accept an order from the Supreme Court to remove President Yameen from power. The AG said the Supreme Court is about to rule on Yameen, and that such a ruling would be a national security threat, and hence he would not allow for its implementation. The Chief of Defense and the Police Commissioner said they will not uphold the Supreme Court rulings, and will follow the Attorney General’s instructions. The Chief of Defense saying the military will obey the AG’s instructions, when President is the Commander in Chief is alarming, and unprecedented. Police attempt arrest of Chief Justice and Judicial Administrator at the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) of the Supreme Court Protesters and Police clashed outside the home of the Chief Justice late last night, amidst reports that the Police were attempting to arrest the Chief Justice. In the early hours of Sunday morning, the Police barged into the Department of Judicial Administration’s Chief Administrator, Hassan Saeed’s home, in an attempt to arrest him. However, Saeed was not at home. A police statement following the raid, said the Police are searching for him, under allegations of bribery on a housing project. The Police further said they had evidence that family members of the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed are involved in bribery. The police claimed to have a court warrant for Saeed’s arrest, but have not shown the warrant to the public. The Department of Judicial Administration oversees the administrative work of the Supreme Court and all other courts. Police have now launched a manhunt for DJA head Saeed. The manhunt for the Judicial Administrator, based on a hitherto unheard of, old corruption case, linking to family members of the chief justices is evidence of President Yameen’s attempts to intimidate the judges. The arrest attempt and intimidation follows the apex court’s ruling, ordering the release of political prisoners, and the reinstatement of 12 opposition lawmakers. The police bribery witch-hunt bypasses the mandate of the Anti- Corruption Commission. On 31 January, the Police arrested the IT head of the DJA, hours before the Supreme Court ruling. On January 28, all the leaders of the opposition, together, petitioned the Supreme Court to remove President Abdulla Yameen from office, to rule that he has broken the law and is unfit for office. The intimidation of the Supreme Justices, with the highly irregular statement made by the Attorney General defying the Supreme Court, supported by the two chiefs of the security forces, is tantamount to the effective sidelining of the judiciary and in direct contravention of the Constitution. Maldivians are fearful that President Yameen is about to order a full military takeover of the country, in an attempt to ensure he is not removed from office.

Attorney General orders police and military not to follow Supreme Court rulings; moves to arrest judges

During the first week of 2018 academic year, within the span of 48 hours, there have been two separate assaults committed against students. One of these incidents occurred inside Thaajudeen School premises, and the latter attack took place during the rush hour, at the end of morning school session, on Lily Magu. No arrests have been made regarding the Lily Magu assault, and the perpetrators remain at large. According to the victim’s family, the boy was threatened prior to the stabbing inside the school, and the teacher remained silent despite student informing about the threat. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Youth Wing is deeply concerned about the ongoing attacks on students, both inside and near school premises. We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take swift action against the perpetrators in order to avoid further violence. Sadly, the Maldives Police Service appears to be incapable of taking proactive prevention measures, in order to keep our schools safe from gang violence. The Ministry of Education has also failed to address the issue and remains deafeningly silent about the assaults. Gang violence is on the rise in the Maldives, due to the culture of impunity and the links between street gangs and the highest levels of government. There have been more than 30 cases of gang assault reported to the police in 2018 so far. The MDP’s Youth Wing calls on state authorities to address concerned parents and ensure the safety of children inside school premises. ENDS

Sanaa

MDP Youth Wing Expresses Concern over Increased Gang Violence in Schools

7 January 2018, Male’: The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) extends its warmest wishes to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hon. Tarō Kōno. The MDP welcomes the statement made by the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokesperson following the Minister’s one-day visit to the Maldives. Minister Tarō Kōno.expressed Japan’s commitment to further collaboration between the two countries, in areas including maritime security, climate change, tourism, sports, and trade. As Japan and the Maldives mark over half a century of diplomatic relations, the MDP takes special note of Japan’s support in fostering democracy and the rule of law in the Maldives. The party is confident of the Japanese Government’s continued commitment to reform and democratisation in the Maldives. At this moment in time, the Maldivian people are in particular need of friendship and guidance from Japan, a robust democracy, as we struggle to re-establish multiparty politics in our country. This year, the MDP is hopeful of Japan’s support in ensuring a free, fair and inclusive presidential election, where political parties are free to field candidates of their choice. MDP is encouraged by Minister Tarō Kōno’s statement regarding Prime Minister Shizo Abe’s initiative on free and open Indo-Pacific relations. The Maldives is key to ensuring stability in the Indian Ocean region. Indian Ocean stability is more important than ever but the MDP notes with concern President Yameen’s continued foreign policy manoeuvers, which risk alienating traditional allies and eroding security in our neighbourhood. In this regard, democratic powers such as Japan can play an important role in fostering maritime security and stability in the region. ENDS

Maldivian Democratic Party Welcomes Remarks by the Japanese Foreign Minister

20 December 2017, Male’ : The Maldives’ Joint Opposition — which includes the Maldivian Democratic Party, the Jumhoory Party, the Adhaalath Party, and a faction of the ruling PPM — strongly condemns the outrageous attack on India and the Indian Prime Minister, published in an editorial in Vaguthu newspaper on Tuesday. The newspaper — a mouthpiece of President Yameen whose editorials are routinely approved by the President’s Office prior to publication — labeled India “the biggest enemy of the Maldives” and called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “an extremist Hindu” who is “anti-Muslim.” The editorial went on to accuse India of plotting a military overthrow of the Yameen regime, providing weapons to terrorists in Sri Lanka, and breaking international law through its actions in Kashmir. The editorial also suggested the Maldives should ditch India and find a “new best friend” in China. Two former Maldives presidents, who belong to the joint opposition, labeled the article an outrageous slur on India and the Indian Prime Minister. Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said on Twitter: “I condemn the article in Vaguthu that brands India as an enemy of Maldives. Outrageous! No Maldivian in his right mind would subscribe to such views. India has been and remains a vey close and trusted friend of Maldives.” Former President Mohamed Nasheed added: “Strongly condemn anti-India diatribe in regime mouthpiece Vaguthu. Prez YAG’s reckless foreign policy is destroying our relationship with India. Maldives must be sensitive to India’s security and safety.” Since assuming office in 2013, President Yameen has increasingly shunned India and embraced Beijing, unveiling a raft of infrastructure projects paid for through expensive Chinese loans. Pramit Chaudhuri, a well connected Indian journalist, wrote an  opinion article  in the Hindustan Times on 10 December, in which he suggested that New Delhi believes many of the Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in the Maldives have “price tags two to three times higher than normal. The assumption is Yameen and his cronies have been lining their pockets.” Notes for editors Summary of the Vaguthu article: • India used to be the biggest contributor to the Maldives – India saved the Maldives in the 1988 coup attempt, and over the years have provided assistance to the Maldives in many areas. • However things have changed now and today, India is the biggest enemy of the Maldives • Now India views us with envy, full of self interest and hostility • Now, some Indian officials believe that the government must be overthrown through military assistance • India has been part of such things before – India provided weapons to the Tamil terrorists during the 30 year civil conflict in Sri Lanka • If you look into Kashmir issue too, India has been acting against international law. • How india is treating its own Muslims is evidence that India is no longer a compassionate nation • Indian policy has shifted since the extremist Hindu Narendra Modi has been in power. He is especially, anti-muslim • India is envious because: o Progress in the Maldives means we no longer have to beg Indians o Maldives is an Islamic country – it is Indian policy to make things difficult for Muslims o Maldives relations with China – India does not want Chinese assistance to reach the Maldives • Sometimea we will have to face difficulties – now is the time for Maldive to find a new best friend. A best friend who will work should-to-shoulder with the Maldives.

Joint Opposition Parties Condemn Scurrilous Attack on Indian PM by pro-Yameen Newspaper

29 October, Male’: The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has warned that presidential elections, Constitutionally-mandated to be held next year, cannot be considered free, fair or credible if opposition party candidates are prevented from contesting. The MDP reiterates this position amidst growing concern that the regime of President Yameen has no intention of allowing opposition candidates to compete in the poll. On March 24, all the opposition leaders — President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President Mohamed Nasheed, Hon. Qasim Ibrahim & Sheikh Imran — signed an agreement to restore Maldivian democracy and fundamental freedoms. In the agreement, the parties and their leaders agreed to work to ensure elections are free and fair, and candidates of political parties’ choosing are allowed to contest. The Maldives is now less than a year away from the 2018 presidential elections. The elections will not be free and fair while opposition leaders are under arrest or serving sentences on trumped up charges, designed to disqualify them from the elections. Over 21 opposition MPs are also under arrest or facing prosecution. Political parties, and not President Yameen, must be allowed to choose their candidates in the elections. President Mohamed Nasheed, the MDP leader, must be allowed to stand as the party’s candidate. President Nasheed remains disqualified following an egregiously unjust and politically motivated show trial. The 2018 elections cannot be deemed credible, free or fair until this injustice is corrected. For the elections to be meaningfully democratic and free, everyone should have the right to stand, and also the right to vote freely without government intimidation and obstruction. The MDP is deeply concerned over the lack of commitment by the Government to improve the political atmosphere in preparation for the elections. The Government must immediately release all political leaders and political prisoners, and drop all charges against opposition lawmakers. The Government must also expedite the processes and arrangements to ensure political parties can field candidates of their own choosing. The MDP is the largest political party in the country, with its members making up some 25% of the electorate, and the party commanding over 48% of the vote. Disqualifying the party’s candidate, President Nasheed, from the upcoming elections is unacceptable to the party and its supporters.

2018 Presidential Elections Won’t be Free and Fair if Party Candidates are Banned – MDP

October 7, Male’ : The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) calls on President Yameen to immediately withdraw Maldivian support from the Saudi-led military coalition that is bombing Yemen, indiscriminately killing civilians, including many children. Last week the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, placed the coalition on a UN “list of shame,” after horrific airstrikes by coalition warplanes killed hundreds of Yemeni children. A UN report published on August 24 said coalition airstrikes killed or wounded nearly 700 children, and damaged or destroyed nearly 40 schools and hospitals in 2016 alone. The Maldives joined the coalition in 2015. Human Rights Watch has also documented horrific abuses perpetrated by Saudi Arabia and its coalition and other parties against Yemeni children. The NGO said these include killing and maiming children, arbitrarily detaining and disappearing them, recruiting children to fight, attacking schools and hospitals and preventing aid for reaching sick and wounded children. President Yameen, who has deliberately tied Maldivian foreign Policy to Riyadh, joined the Saudi-led military coalition unilaterally, without consulting parliament or the Maldivian public. It is unclear what benefits the President receives in exchange for pledging the Maldives’ support the Saudi coalition. MDP spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said: “In joining this murderous coalition, President Yameen has made the Maldives complicit in the destruction of Yemen and the slaughter of its people. “The Maldives must immediately leave this disgraceful coalition, which is responsible for the indiscriminate killing and maiming of fellow Muslims.” ENDS

The UN Adds Saudi- led Coalition to “list of shame”; MDP Calls on President Yameen to Quit the Coalition Attacking Yemen

09 August 2017, Male: Tuesday marked 3 years since the abduction of journalist Rilwan Abdulla. MDP strongly condemns brutal and disproportionate crackdown from the Police on the march, led by his mother, family and friends. The Police obstructed the path of the demonstrators; heavily pepper- sprayed the crowd and snatched placards from the demonstrators. The Police also specifically targeted Rilwan’s mother and pepper- sprayed her. The demonstrators chanted “where is Rilwan,” and held placards asking why all the suspects were allowed to flee, as well as many other unanswered questions. While all the suspects were allowed to leave the country, for two years, the authorities systematically denied any conclusive findings from the investigation, and refuted any connection between Rilwan’s disappearance and an abduction reported by his neighbours, saying they saw a man being forced into a red car at knifepoint. However, in glaring reversal, in April 2016, the Police announced that Rilwan was abducted by a well-known gangster, and admitted to a DNA match between Rilwan and the blood found in the gangster’s car. By then, the suspects had fled, reportedly as Jihadis to Syria. Rilwan’s mother has accused the Government’s implicit involvement in the abduction, and the family has filed a lawsuit, accusing the Police of withholding information and seeking “available facts of the events.” The court has not ruled on government’s request for closed hearings on the case. Last week, the Minister of Home Affairs, at a press conference referred to the “death of Rilwan.” However, the family has never been informed of a certain death. The Minister has refused to clarify his comments. President Abdulla Yameen had callously shrugged off journalists’ questions about the abduction, and has refused to comment since then. An investigative documentary by Al Jazeera, Stealing Paradise had revealed damning links between Government officials and the kidnapping of the 28 year old. The exposé also showed evidence of President Yameen’s efforts to undermine the investigation into the abduction of Rilwan. In April 2017, another young, liberal writer, Yameen Rasheed was stabbed to death at his doorstep. The Police have not disclosed a motive for Rilwan’s abduction or Yameen’s murder, and refused to comment on links to extremist religious groups in the country. Yameen Rasheed had reported threats from extremism for 3 years, without any action from the Police. The last few weeks have seen a spate of brutal stabbings and 2 murders, in the capital, Male. Murders and violent crimes are on the rise in the Maldives and some are clearly unrelated to gang violence. However, the police refuses to establish motives for these violent crimes and refuses to comment on radicalisation in the Maldives. Over the last week, the Government, and President Yameen have stepped up rhetoric on death penalty. Both the Home Minister and the President have reiterated their commitment to end the Maldives’ 60 years old moratorium on the death penalty, with the President saying he has the “guts” to implement it very soon. ENDS

09 Aug 2017 Police Crackdown on March for Disappeared Journalist

2 August 2017, MALE’:  The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Youth Wing condemns in the strongest terms the lack of police action in response to a killing spree this week that saw two young men, aged 24 and 25, stabbed to death. Maldives Police Service has failed to arrest the perpetrators of these heinous crimes thus far. Prior to these two murders, young men were also knifed near the Supreme Court—one of the most heavily guarded institutions in the country. The attacks took place near Alcyon Bakery in the Maafannu district and at Villingili Ferry Terminal. The Villingili Ferry Terminal is a public area frequented by hundreds of people on a daily basis. Furthermore, a young couple were attacked in their own home earlier this week. Given that the Maldives Police Service has demonstrated remarkable capacity and capability in using its intelligence department to prevent political activities organised by the opposition, the MDP’s Youth Wing is shocked that the MPS failed to gather the necessary intelligence to prevent, or solve, these crimes. What is even more disappointing is the fact that police have taken no visible steps to ensure residents and visitors to Male’ are protected or made to feel safe following these violent crimes. While over MVR 1.3 billion of the people’s tax money is spent on the MPS every year, the institution has failed to maintain public safety as mandated by Article 244 of the Constitution. Instead, the institution has been turned into a politicized security wing of the ruling party that functions merely to curb political dissent. While the above mentioned crimes were being committed, MPS was preoccupied with removing parliamentarians from the Majlis to block a no confidence vote against the Speaker, cracking down on opposition protests and ransacking the MDP’s campaign centre. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Parliament has obstructed the efforts of the opposition to look into the rise in gang violence and murders, including the murder of blogger and human rights defender, Yameen Rasheed, and the disappeared Maldives Independent journalist, Ahmed Rilwan. The MDP’s Youth Wing calls on the MPS to stop wasting its resources on preventing peaceful political activity, and urges the institution to prevent violent crime, conduct a credible and impartial investigation into the crimes that have created fear in the capital and undermined people’s sense of safety and security. ENDS

MDP Youth Wing Condemns Police Inaction In Response To Recent Killing Spree

Maldives: Speaker Barricaded Behind Wall of Soldiers in Parliament Chamber 31 July 2017, MALE:  The Maldives military, acting under illegal orders from President Yameen, continued its siege of parliament today, despite government denials that parliament was under military occupation. The parliament chamber was packed with soldiers today, who forcibly removed opposition MPs from the building and formed a military cordon between MPs and the Speaker of Parliament, Abdulla Maseeh. Troops remain in control of parliament at the present time. This morning, at around 9 am, parliamentarians arrived for work to find the building full of plain-clothed soldiers. MPs remarked that there were more soldiers in the Majlis chamber than there were parliamentarians. Opposition MPs protested the presence of soldiers in the parliament chamber, the refusal of the Speaker to permit a no confidence vote against the Speaker, and the detention of four opposition MPs who have been unlawfully arrested in recent days. Soldiers then forcibly removed opposition MPs from parliament. Maseeh, sitting behind a military phalanx, presided over the session for approximately two minutes before leaving. No other parliamentary business took place. Maseeh, a Yameen crony, faces a vote of no confidence that the Yameen regime is desperate to prevent from happening. Yameen ordered troops to seal off, and then storm, the parliament last week in order to prevent the vote of no confidence from taking place. Having lost his parliamentary majority, President Yameen is now forced to use the military and the courts to maintain his increasingly tenuous grip on power. ENDS

Maldives: Military’s Siege of Parliament Continues

29 July, Saturday, Male :  President Yameen has intensified his crackdown on the opposition, as well as journalists, in the wake of the military lockdown of Parliament and the ensuing protests in the capital, just hours after the United Nations and the wider international community called on his regime to cease its undemocratic actions. Arrest of Opposition Members of Parliament On Monday 24 July,  at around 11:30pm, the Police arrested MP Mohamed Waheed, accusing him of breaking through police lines and entering the parliament building after the Elections Commission had declared that he was no longer an MP. MP Saud Hussain was arrested on the same charges, later Monday evening. However, he was released shortly afterwards due to an error on the arrest warrant. The warrant erroneously named MP Mohamed Ameeth in one section and MP Saud in another section, proving the warrants were not evidence- based but issued with malicious intent. On the evening Thursday 27 July, the Police announced MP Saud Hussain is a “wanted man”, and said they are looking for him. MP Saud “surrendered” himself in on the 28th. Also on Thursday, Police arrested MP Mohamed Ameeth at around 9pm. He was also accused of breaking through police lines and entering parliament. The MPs’ arrest warrants all cited “a letter from the Parliament” as evidence for the charges against the lawmakers. No one has seen the contents of this letter, and the Head of Foreign Relations of the Parliament, bypassing the Secretary General of the Parliament, reportedly signed the letter. The Criminal Court remanded all three MPs for 15 days, based on the letter from Parliament, which was not disclosed to the defense. The Elections Commission announced last week that all three MPs were stripped of their seats after the Supreme Court  ruled  that MPs who were elected on political party tickets will be disqualified if they leave their party, been expelled, or switched parties. The Elections Commission and the Parliament announced that six MPs have lost their seats, retroactively applying the Supreme Court ruling. However, an additional Supreme Court order had specifically clarified that the ruling cannot be applied retroactively. The Supreme Court has since accepted appeals from four of the disqualified lawmakers. The lower court therefore issued arrest warrants while the cases are pending a decision at the apex court. MP Faris Maumoon, who was arrested on 18 July remains in police custody. MP Faris has been moved 3 times to different custodial centres without explanation, since his arrest. Trial against MP Qasim Ibrahim, leader for Jumhooree Party is ongoing. Minority Leader, More MPs Summoned to the Police Minority Leader, and head of the MDP Parliamentary Group, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, along with Jumhooree Party deputy leader MP Abdulla Riyaz and MDP MP Mohamed Falah were all summoned to the Police on Thursday. The MPs have been accused under four different charges: MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is one of the most senior Parliamentarians in the country, and MP Abdulla Riyaz is the former Commissioner of Police. If convicted, the lawmakers face a maximum sentence of 4 years and 3 months. The MPs will lose their seats with a sentence of over 1 year. On 24 July, soldiers and the riot Police entered the Parliament House and forcibly removed opposition MPs. Since then, the Parliament has been seized by the military, and MPs are barred from entry. There are no legal grounds or precedence for restricting MPs’ access to the Parliament. Journalists Attacked, Arrested On 26 July, as the Maldives celebrated its 52nd Independence Day, President Yameen launched a new attack on journalists. The Police entered the MDP meeting hall and arrested 7 journalists who were covering events taking place there. The journalists were pepper- sprayed, beaten and then arrested. One journalist was hospitalised overnight because of injuries sustained during his arrest. The Police also confiscated the journalists’ equipment. One female journalist has made a number of worrying allegations against the Police, accusing her arresting officers of physical and verbal abuse as well as disproportionate force. She has submitted her case to the National Integrity Commission. The Police did not have a court warrant to enter the MDP meeting hall, which is private property. The MDP has submitted case with the National Integrity Commission, against two Policemen for unlawful entry into its premises, and for the attack on people and journalists. Opposition Meeting Halls Seized, Party Officials Harassed On 25 July, the Police shuttered the Jumhooree Party HQ and meeting hall  Kunooz,  citing “unlawful gatherings.” Since the “seize and search” operation, the Police have issued a report saying they did not find any “evidence” in  Kunooz . However, the HQ was shuttered for 72 hours. On 26 July, around 10:30pm, the Police shuttered the MDP meeting hall,  Haruge . The Police used liberal use of pepper-spray during the operation, and even locked the hall with people still inside.  The Police did not have a court warrant for their actions. On 25 July, Jumhooree Party Secretary General Ahmed Sameer was summoned to the Police. Sameer was accused of “obstruction of Police Duty” after he questioned the police over their attempts to search the JP Headquarters Kunooz for the second time based on an expired court warrant. According to 39(a)(9) of the Criminal Procedures Act, police can search for the second time using the same warrant only if it is specifically mentioned in the warrant. ENDS

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