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Hopelessness of hoping for a ‘free Maldives’
By Marisa de Silva
Despite the Maldivian government’s promise of a ‘New Maldives’ with drastic constitutional reforms and multi-party democracy, the main opposition party the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is sceptical whether these pledges will be fulfilled.

In response to whether the new reforms would include multi-party elections in a free and fair manner, where all candidates would be on an equal footing, the Maldivian Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Shaheed said (at a news conference in Colombo this week), that there has always been equal opportunities for other political parties or individuals to contest the Maldivian elections.

He said even a recent poll conducted by independent foreign officials showed that 75% of the citizens were of the view that the recent Maldivian elections were free and fair.

However, chief spokesperson and MDP founder Mohamed Latheef vehemently disagreed with Dr. Shaheed’s statement, claiming that, no party had ever contested President Mohamed Abdul Gayoom at the elections and that it has always been only individuals coming forward if at all.

However, he added that if these constitutional reforms were to come within the next year, then he is hopeful that along with the change in parliament, a change of the Head-of- State might occur.

“If that happens and our country does get an opportunity to hold a truly free and fair election, we’re confident of a sweeping victory”, Mr. Latheef said.
He said the MDP had informed the international community of the MDP’s three main demands made to the Maldivian Government and these were firstly, the immediate release of the MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed, MDP member and Mr. Latheef’s daughter, Jennifer Latheef and other political prisoners. Secondly, that the Government sets up a verifiable constitutional reform agenda that is time bound and thirdly the conduct of free and fair elections.

“The three requests are by no means unreasonable or unjust and can easily be worked out” Mr. Latheef said. He said the MDP members would need to meet and decide on an exact time frame for their demands to be met, before taking to the streets in civil disobedience campaigns.

Regarding Jennifer Latheef’s case where three months ago she was charged with acts of terrorism and sentenced to ten years imprisonment, the Maldivian Foreign Minister said she was free to appeal against the sentence.

Furthermore, he claimed that the written judgement was available for collection this week but neither Ms. Latheef, nor her attorney had come to collect it.

Mr. Latheef said in accordance with Maldivian law, the accused had to file an appeal within three months of the judgement. He said however, that it’s been two months already and there were no signs of any final court documents.

“Even if she is to make an appeal, it has to be referred to the President who is the judiciary head and as he had condemned her, of what use will an appeal be? So where’s justice there?” the MDP chief spokesman said.

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