4 April, 2005 Majlis Sends Securities Bill to its Economic Matters Committee
After four days of wide and extensive debate, the People’s Majlis have finally sent the Maldives Securities Bill to its Standing Committee on Economic Matters. The decision was reached at today’s tenth sitting of the first session of the Majlis with a vote of 33 Members out of the 40 present and voting at the time.The Bill was tabled by the Government on 24 March 2005, at the seventh sitting of the first session of the Majlis. The Bill is aimed at creating a capital market development authority and the establishment of a stock exchange in the Maldives and providing for the relevant regulatory frameworks and procedures.
The Bill was sponsored in the Majlis, for and on behalf of the Government, by Minister of Finance and Treasury Mohamed Jaleel.
Subsequent to sending the Securities Bill to the Economic Matters Committee, the Public Finance Bill was tabled at today’s sitting. This Bill is also sponsored by the Minister of Finance and Treasury for and behalf of the Government.
The Bill aims at providing for the control and management of the finances and property of the State; to allow for financial and accounting procedures to be established in relation to those finances and property; and to prescribe the form and manner in which the accounts of the State shall be kept and maintained.
Today’s sitting, attended by 40 Members, was presided by the Speaker of the People’s Majlis Ahmed Zahir.
Majlis will meet again next Thursday, 7 April 2005.
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
5 April, 2005 The Government's commitment to ushering in multiparty democracy is clear and evident", says the Chief Government Spokesman
Dr. Ahmed Shaheed
"The call for the withdrawal of the President's reform agenda does not make any sense. The reform process is transparent, all-embracing and contains a clear commitment to a modern democracy, and it has also been warmly welcomed by all who seek reform. The 31-point reform proposals formally presented by the President to the People's Special Majlis (the Constitutional Assembly) on 14 February 2005 provide a historic opportunity to establish a multiparty democracy in the Maldives.
"The Government's commitment to establishing a multiparty system in the Maldives is clear and evident. That is why we have engaged an expert from the Commonwealth to formulate a Political Parties Bill and an Electoral Reform Bill to be included in the legislative programme of the current parliament, as announced by the President at the annual inauguration of the People's Majlis (the parliament), in February of this year. The necessary amendments to the Constitution were presented by the President when he submitted his Green Paper of 31-point proposals for constitutional reform to the Constitutional Assembly on 14 February."
The proposals provide for strengthening of fundamental rights, including the right to set up and operate political parties and the removal of the gender bar on contesting for the presidency, the separation of powers, the establishment of effective parliamentary governance, the independence of the judiciary and the protection and promotion of human rights
"The reform programme initiated by the President in his current term of office includes constitutional changes, institutional reforms, legal reform, and the complete modernisation of the criminal justice system."
The constitutional changes can only be made by the Constitutional Assembly, and that has now held fifteen sessions. The President called on the Assembly in his Presidential Address of 27 February 2005, to conclude its work of providing a constitutional framework for a modern and vibrant multiparty democracy, as envisaged in his 31-point proposals, “in about one year's time”.
Institutional reforms implemented over the past one year include the establishment of a national Human Rights Commission, making the police force a civilian authority, reorganizing and reforming the jail system, setting up of a jail oversight body of Judges and MPs, establishing a Public Complaints Bureau, signing a prisons access agreement with the ICRC and granting Amnesty International access to prisons.
In the area of legal reform and reform of the criminal justice system, a five-year Criminal Justice Action Plan has been formulated with the support of donors. The plan covers, among other things, drafting a new Penal Code, a Criminal Procedures Bill, a Police Powers Bill, a Parole Bill and a Prisons Bill. Already, provision for legal representation has been strengthened to enable access to lawyers from the time of arrest onwards, fundamental rights have been strengthened by the codification of arrestable and non-arrestable offences, and the UN Convention Against Torture has been acceded to.
In addition to this, numerous legal reform measures are underway and these include the drafting of a bill on political parties, a bill on electoral reform, and a bill on freedom of information and media.
These reform measures are being undertaken in a very transparent manner, and with the involvement of donor countries and organisations that promote human rights. The Government has engaged the assistance of the Commonwealth in the reform programme, and has established a dialogue with Amnesty International with regard to identifying areas of concern and ways to address them. The Government has also invited donors to contribute to the reform process.
"It is evident that already a number of important reform initiatives have been implemented and that the process of reform is in full swing. The Government hopes that the Constitutional Assembly would complete its work, including setting up a multiparty framework as proposed by the President, in the shortest possible timeframe, which we hope will not exceed one year”, said Dr. Shaheed.
“We are surprised that the Asian Centre for Human Rights issued a politicised and partisan report on the Maldives without seeking any information or response from the Government or a dialogue on the matters that they were commenting on”, he added.
"The Maldives has a unique and historic chance to move from a traditional system to a modern democracy, and we will not allow self-interested opponents of reform with hidden agendas to deny the people the chance of ushering in a modern multiparty democracy," Dr. Shaheed went on to say.
"The President has demonstrated great statesmanship and a bold vision by initiating widespread institutional, constitutional, legal and judicial reform, and a number of reforms have already been implemented and more are in progress. We will not be deterred in this pursuit by the antics of those who seek power over reform," Dr. Shaheed added.
Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
5 April, 2005 POSITIVE RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT FOLLOWING ITS DELEGATION’S RECENT VISIT TO THE MALDIVES
The President with the delegation of the European Parliament for a commemorative photograph, during the latter’s call.
The delegation was led by Mrs. Neena Gill (UK), Chairperson of the Delegation. It included five other Members of the European parliament (MEPs), from four different political groups: Mr. Jan MULDER (Netherlands), Mr. Jo LEINEN (Germany), Mr. Thomas MANN (Germany), Mrs. Jean LAMBERT (UK) and Mr. Ivo BELET (Belgium).
They met with President Gayoom on the 27 March and with several members of the government, including the acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General, the Minister for Planning and National Development and the Minister for Trade.
The MEPs also met with the Human Rights Commission, visited the Rehabilitation Centre on Maafushi Island and met with Mohamed Zaki, Ahmad Didi and Fathimath Nisreen, the persons sentenced because of their activity in the Sandhaanu newsletter.
The MEPs, who are involved in the European Union’s budget for aid, also visited the Centre for Disaster Management in Male’. They were impressed by the quality of the planning and the good co-ordination of the different ministries among themselves and with international donors.
They visited the severely tsunami-affected island of Haafushi and went to Maamigili to meet the people displaced from the evacuated island of Madifushi.
The MEPs appreciated that relief operations have been carried out in such a way as to provide not only the most basic humanitarian relief in an efficient way, but also to quickly establish decent temporary shelters.
They were extremely impressed to observe that building of new permanent houses was already taking place in a very efficient manner, involving the people concerned both in the construction work itself and in the design of their future homes.
The MEPs noted that the affected persons showed lots of energy and were optimistic despite their sufferings.
The MEPs have decided to commit themselves in their parliamentary activity to making the European public aware that, albeit there have been fewer casualties in the Maldives than in other countries of the region, the damage to the infrastructures and the economy is proportionally higher and that the donors should not overlook the needs of the country.
They will communicate their conclusions to the European Commission, which manages the budgets for humanitarian and reconstruction aid.
In the Parliament, the MEPs attended the proceedings of the Special Majlis. They called on the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, the Speaker of the Special Majlis and had a number of meetings on several occasions with Members of the Parliament.
They discussed extensively with parliamentarians from all political tendencies issues such as the reform agenda and the conditions for it to be successful, the situation of Human Rights in the country and the functioning of the judicial system, the post-tsunami international assistance, in particular from the European Union (EU), and the trade relations of Maldives with the EU.
Regarding the reform agenda, the delegation expressed its support both for the principles and the objectives of this programme. While fully confirming the content of the resolution passed in the European Parliament on 16 September 2004 based on the then prevailing situation, they ensured their Maldivian counterparts that they would confirm sympathy and confidence in the reform agenda with their colleagues in the House.
They felt however that the success of the reform process depended heavily on the ability of the government to prove its commitment to implementing the principles of the reform agenda even before the new constitutional framework is in place, and on the Special Majlis’ efforts to proceed as quickly as the society expects it to.
Mrs. Gill said: “It is critical that the Special Majlis delivers a text compliant with international standards and in line with the public’s expectations. Otherwise, the frustration both inside and outside the country would be as high as the current hopes are.
This involves in particular a marked improvement of the press and media scene to allow the expression of a plurality of opinions, in particular in the audiovisual media, a faster and more liberal consideration of requests for creating new media, in particular newspapers, encouragement rather than control of civil society organisations and openness in the judicial proceedings so as to better protect the rights of the individual in criminal law cases both before and after judgment. All these are policy actions that can and should be implemented even before the new constitution.
If such positive moves are delayed, the international community would find it difficult to believe that the intentions of the government are genuine. They are needed at the beginning, not at the end of the reform agenda.”
In the view of the representatives of the European Parliament, such positive moves would also help create a climate of trust between the various parts of the political spectrum so as to ensure that the Maldives enter multi-party democracy in a climate of healthy political competition rather than of mutual distrust and confrontation.
The MEPs also shared their experience with their colleagues of the Special Majlis on constitutional matters and on a number of aspects of parliamentary work, in particular on steering committee, in-house political working groups and organisation of speaking time.
Mr. Jo Leinen, who is the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee in the European Parliament, said: “the prestige of a Parliament is greatly enhanced when its Members accept to subject themselves to a number of technical limitations for the sake of efficiency, thus delivering tangible results to the citizens. Constraints such as deadlines, rules on the presentation of amendments in the house, limitations in the speaking time, delegation of house-keeping decisions to the Speaker or to a steering committee, far from weakening the privileges of the members, allow them to concentrate on the substance of their political work and carry their tasks in a more satisfactory way both for them and for their voters.”
The European Parliament is the democratically elected body of the European Union. Its 732 Members are elected directly by the citizens of the 25 countries which are Member states of the EU. More information on the European Parliament at www.europarl.eu.int
Videos:
March 29, 2005: High Commissioner's LIVE interview to BBC Two
7 April, 2005 Maldivian Passport Application Forms Maldivian Passport Application Forms
Maldivian Passport Application forms can be purchased from the High Commission during the office hours at £1.40 each (excluding postage in the United Kingdom). The completed application forms should be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Instructions for filling the application and requirements of passport photograph can be obtained from www.immigration.gov.mv
The High Commission is in consultations with the Department of Immigration and Emigration in the Maldives to facilitate a mechanism for issuance of Maldivian Passports by the High Commission in the near future.
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8 April, 2005 The Maldives welcomes EU commitment to infrastructure assistance, looks forward to continued political dialogueThe Maldives today welcomed the positive report of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with SAARC countries, following their visit to the Maldives on 25 - 28 March 2005. Speaking in response to the Delegation's press release, the Chief Government Spokesman, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed said:
"The EU Parliament Delegation's positive comments following their visit here are most welcome. The tone of the Delegation's remarks reflects the genuine feeling of warmth and cooperation that was evident throughout their visit.
"We are gratified that the Delegation recognised the hard work and optimism of the Maldivian people in rebuilding their homes and livelihoods following the 26 December tsunami. The EU Parliament is the latest in a succession of eminent international bodies, including the UN, World Bank and various donor agencies, to have praised the Maldives' swift and efficient efforts in reconstructing our country. The Delegation's commitment to champion the cause of the Maldives, and our need for assistance in rebuilding our economy and infrastructure, is particularly appreciated.
"As one would expect, the Delegation took a special interest in the Maldives' ongoing democratic reform process. Their expression of support for, and confidence in, both the principles and objectives of the reform programme, is a deserved endorsement for the reform agenda to which we are committed.
"In the spirit of our growing and developing relationship with the European Parliament, we are grateful for the Delegation's observations as to how to progress the reform programme even before the new Constitution has been drafted. We shall listen to, and act upon, the delegations suggestions for expediting our reforms. Indeed some of the areas recommended by the Delegation for immediate progress - in particular the need for greater transparency and modernisation of the judicial process, and strengthening of media freedom are priority areas in which policy actions are being carried out independent of constitutional reform and where new legislation is at this moment being drafted.
“We recognise that a healthy and vibrant civil society is fundamental to a modern democracy. The Government’s policy is to encourage and support civil society organisations, as evident from recently enacted legislation, and from the manner in which the post-tsunami recovery and reconstruction efforts are being carried out.
"The Delegation's remarks underline just how far the Maldives has come, despite the tsunami, since their Resolution of September 2004. We will continue to look to our friends in the European Parliament as our journey toward multiparty democracy continues, to welcome their advice and suggestions, and hope that the SAARC grouping will remain a valued champion and friend in Brussels to the people of the Maldives”.
Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
8 April, 2005 “We are carrying out important reforms without waiting for the completion of the work of the Special Majlis on constitutional amendments,” says President Gayoom The American Ambassador accredited to the Maldives, Mr. Jeffrey Lunstead today praised the sweeping democratic reform agenda that the Government was pursuing in the Maldives, and expressed US support for the reform agenda:
“The Maldives is providing a great example to the world of how a country moves towards a more open and democratic system,” said Ambassador Lunstead, speaking to the press in the Maldives, after a meeting with President Gayoom today.
Ambassador Lunstead resides in Sri Lanka and is currently on a visit to the Maldives to discuss the progress of the post-tsunami recovery programme and the reform agenda that was proposed by the President in February this year.
President Gayoom had promised to accelerate modernization and democratization as he took office for his current term of the presidency in November 2003. He followed this pledge by establishing a national Human Rights Commission in December 2003 and drawing up an accelerated agenda for modernization and reform, under which he announced plans to amend the constitution and convened the Constitutional Assembly in July 2004. In mid-February 2005, the President presented to the Assembly his 31-point proposals for constitutional amendment which seek to usher in a mature and modern democracy in the Maldives, and asked the Assembly to complete its work in about one year.
Expressing his desire to progress the reform agenda the President today said:
“We are carrying out important reforms without waiting for the completion of the work of the Special Majlis on constitutional amendments, especially in regard to the criminal justice system and human rights protection.”
Outlining the government’s legislative programme and planned policy actions at the annual opening of parliament at the end of February 2005, the President outlined a series of measures that would modernize and overhaul the criminal justice system, strengthen human rights protection and media freedom, and increase accountability and transparency of governance.
“The reform programme enjoys widespread domestic and international support, and these measures are being carried out in a very open and transparent manner, with the active collaboration and support of numerous international organizations and donors. On the back of years of sustained social and economic progress, successful democratization and meeting international standards in human rights protection will be the finest legacy of President Gayoom,” said Chief Government Spokesman, Dr Ahmed Shaheed.
Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
11 April, 2005 The President says that the Government is pressing ahead with important reforms, instead of waiting for the completion of the work of amending the Constitution
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
The President said that important judicial and penal reforms had been implemented during his current term of Office. He went on to point out that the designation of the Police as a civilian authority, the strengthening of the provisions for legal representation, the formation of a Jail Oversight Committee of MPs and Judges and a national Human Rights Commission, were among some of these reforms.
The President noted the importance of national unity and societal harmony during this period of sweeping democratic reforms. He also said that the reinforcement of the tenets of Islam was also of the utmost importance during this endeavour.
Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
14 April, 2005 Debate Opens at Majlis on the Public Finance Bill
Majlis today opened debate on the Public Finance Bill, tabled at its previous sitting.
The Public Finance Bill was also tabled during the tenure of the previous Majlis, and before its work was completed, was dissolved with that Majlis on 27 February 2005 when a new Majlis was reconstituted. The Government re-introduced the Bill during the current session of the current Majlis.
The main purposes of the Bill include, increasing the transparency of financial transactions within the Government, making government employees accountable for such transactions, providing real-time financial information needed to formulate economic policies of the country in accordance with international standards, and to develop and maintain finances and accounts of the State using modern technology.
During the committee stage of the Bill, 11 Members took part in the discussion. In their debate, Members expressed the need for and the importance of such a Bill, and areas where improvement and amendment were necessary in the Bill. They suggested technical, policy related, and language related issues that need attention at a committee review.
The Minister of Finance and Treasury Mohamed Jaleel sponsored the Bill in the Majlis, for and on behalf of the Government.
The Speaker of the People’s Majlis Ahmed Zahir chaired today’s eleventh sitting of the first session of the Majlis. Today’s meeting was attended by 41 Members.
Majlis will meet again next Monday, 11 April 2005.
14 April, 2005 Majlis Continues its Debate on the Public Finance Bill
Majlis continued at its twelfth sitting of the first session held today, its debate on the Public Finance Bill.During the committee stage of the Bill, 11 Members took part in the discussion. Even at today’s discussion, Members discussed the underlying principles of the Bill, its design and model, the need to appreciate the differing features of the current system and that which is envisaged, and areas where improvement and amendment were necessary in the Bill.
The Bill is aimed at increasing the transparency of financial transactions within the Government, making government employees accountable for such transactions, providing real-time financial information needed to formulate economic policies of the country in accordance with international standards, and developing and maintaining finances and accounts of the State using modern technology.
The Minister of Finance and Treasury Mohamed Jaleel sponsored the Bill in the Majlis, for and on behalf of the Government.
The Speaker of the People’s Majlis Ahmed Zahir chaired today’s sitting. Today’s meeting was attended by 34 Members.
Majlis will meet again next Monday, 14 April 2005.
Source: People's Majlis, Republic of Maldives
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
14 April, 2005 Special Majlis Allocates Certain New Members
to its Rules Committee The People’s Special Majlis today adjusted the membership of the Rules Committee by approving the names of Members to 14 of the 25 seats of that Committee affected by the reconstitution of the People’s Majlis on 27 February this year. The Rules Committee was established by the Special Majlis on 26 October 2005 to draft the Standing Orders of the Special Majlis.
Prior to that, a vote was taken on three motions put forward in deciding upon a time limit on the number of interventions a Member could make in the process of adopting the Standing Orders and a time limit on each of those interventions. The first motion went against deciding any such limit on the number of interventions and the time limit of each of such interventions. The second motion proposed two to be the maximum number of interventions a Member could make, and the time to be 5 minutes during the first instance, and 3 minutes for the second. The content of the third motion was similar to the second one, but worded in more detail. When put to vote, all three motions failed to secure a majority of the Majlis.
After approving new Members to the Rules Committee, Members turned towards deciding how the chair should act in matters of procedure until the Special Majlis is able to adopt its Standing Orders. Two motions were proposed and seconded on the issue. One was for the chair to act in accordance with the principles of the second draft of the Standing Orders as drafted by the Rules Committee. The other was for the chair to use the Standing Orders of the People’s Majlis as a guideline in dealing with the same. However, when put to vote, these two motions also failed to sail through.
The Special Majlis President Abbas Ibrahim chaired today’s meeting. The meeting was attended by 83 Members.
The Special Majlis will meet again next Sunday, 17 April 2005.
Source: People's Majlis, Republic of Maldives
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
14 April, 2005 Special Majlis Allocates Certain New Members
to its Rules Committee The People’s Special Majlis today adjusted the membership of the Rules Committee by approving the names of Members to 14 of the 25 seats of that Committee affected by the reconstitution of the People’s Majlis on 27 February this year. The Rules Committee was established by the Special Majlis on 26 October 2005 to draft the Standing Orders of the Special Majlis.
Prior to that, a vote was taken on three motions put forward in deciding upon a time limit on the number of interventions a Member could make in the process of adopting the Standing Orders and a time limit on each of those interventions. The first motion went against deciding any such limit on the number of interventions and the time limit of each of such interventions. The second motion proposed two to be the maximum number of interventions a Member could make, and the time to be 5 minutes during the first instance, and 3 minutes for the second. The content of the third motion was similar to the second one, but worded in more detail. When put to vote, all three motions failed to secure a majority of the Majlis.
After approving new Members to the Rules Committee, Members turned towards deciding how the chair should act in matters of procedure until the Special Majlis is able to adopt its Standing Orders. Two motions were proposed and seconded on the issue. One was for the chair to act in accordance with the principles of the second draft of the Standing Orders as drafted by the Rules Committee. The other was for the chair to use the Standing Orders of the People’s Majlis as a guideline in dealing with the same. However, when put to vote, these two motions also failed to sail through.
The Special Majlis President Abbas Ibrahim chaired today’s meeting. The meeting was attended by 83 Members.
The Special Majlis will meet again next Sunday, 17 April 2005.
Source: People's Majlis, Republic of Maldives
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
17 April, 2005
The International Monetary Fund has revealed that Maldives was the most affected economy due to the Tsunami disaster.
The International Monetary Fund has revealed that Maldives was the most affected economy due to the Tsunami disaster. The report revealed that the damage sustained by Maldives, estimated at about one-half of GDP, was far more significant in relative terms than that sustained by the larger countries, owing to extensive damage to infrastructure and tourism facilities. The report said that Maldives, where severe damage to the tourism industry, which accounts for roughly one-third of GDP, could reduce growth by up to 51/2 percentage points, to 1 percent.
The effects of the devastation in the Maldives include the demolition of harbours and jetties in 104 islands, damage to schools, pharmacies and clinics in 50 islands and damage to fishing vessels and agricultural fields of islands. 82 people died and 26 people were reported missing due to the Tsunami disaster. More than 15,000 people were displaced due to the devastation caused by the disaster.
Source: Ministry of Information, Arts & Culture of the Republic of Maldives
18 April, 2005
Ambassador Sobir visits European Union Ambassador Sobir visits European Union
London, April 21, 2005: Ambassador to European Union H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir is schedule to visit Brussels from 21st-22nd this month.
During Ambassador Sobir’s two day visit, he will meet key officials in Brussels and exchange information on reconstruction after the Tsunami disaster. Among the issues to discuss at Brussels, will be to follow-up meetings with the MEPs and media after their visit to Maldives, Aid shortfall issue and to seek possibilities for European Investment Bank (EIB) lending facility for the Maldives will also be explored.
19 April, 2005 An English citizen, Ms.Toni De Laroque has donated 13,483.34 US Dollar to the Society of Health Education, to assist in tsunami recovery in the Maldives.
Mrs. Toni De Laroque
An English citizen, Ms Toni De Laroque has donated 13,483.34 US Dollar to the Society of Health Education, to assist in tsunami recovery in the Maldives. The donation was received at a ceremony held at Society for Health Education, by the chairperson of the society, Dr. Aishath Shiham. Founder Members Madam Nasreena Ibrahim and Dr. Naila Firdhaus, attended the ceremony. Ms Toni De Laroque has contributed numerous books to libraries in Maldives and also works to promote the Maldives as a popular tourist destination.
Source: Ministry of Information, Arts & Culture of the Republic of Maldives
19 April, 2005
Majlis Sends the Public Finance Bill to its Economic Matters Committee Majlis today sent the Public Finance Bill to its Standing Committee on Economic Matters. After three days of debate, Majlis reached this decision by the unanimous vote of the 40 Members present and voting at the thirteenth sitting of the first session of the Majlis held today.
During the three days of debate on the Bill, some 26 Members participated in the discussions. The Minister of Finance and Treasury Mohamed Jaleel sponsored the Bill in the Majlis, for and on behalf of the Government.
Once the Public Finance Bill was passed on to the Economic Matters Committee, a motion put forward by Male’ Member Ibrahim Ismail was tabled at today’s sitting. Since the motion was a motion without notice, the Majlis took a vote on whether or not to admit the matter for discussion. 40 Members present and voting at the time unanimously agreed that the matter be tabled for discussion.
The motion called for the creation of a select committee of the Majlis to look into the manner in which detaining authorities have dealt with and continue to deal with inmates kept in confinement. His reasons for tabling such a motion include, the current expression of public concern over the manner in which inmates are treated, declining public confidence in law enforcement authorities being injurious to the national interest, and enhancing public confidence in law enforcement authorities being relevant for serving the larger national interest.
Today’s sitting, attended by 40 Members, was chaired by the Speaker of the People’s Majlis Ahmed Zahir.
Majlis will meet again next Monday, 18 April 2005.
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
19 April, 2005
Special Majlis Passes 3 Sections of its Standing Orders Today The People’s Special Majlis today passed three Sections of its Standing Orders. They are Sections 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Earlier, the Majlis had sent the first two Sections of the Standing Orders to the Rules Committee, when amendments proposed to those two Sections failed to sail through. The Rules Committee was established by the Special Majlis on 26 October 2005 to draft its Standing Orders.
Members are currently deliberating on the second draft of the Standing Orders as drafted by the Rules Committee. When the first draft was produced by the Committee, it attracted some 111 proposals for amendment. The current second draft was produced by the Committee in view of those proposals.
In order to encourage a speedy exercise in the adoption of the Standing Orders, Members have now been provided with a table that indicates which provisions would be tabled for discussion at which meeting. Members have also been advised to liaise with the Secretariat to send written notice of their proposals for amendment to any specific provision, ahead of that provision being tabled for discussion.
The adoption of Section 5 of the Standing Orders concluded today’s meeting. Today’s meeting was chaired by the Special Majlis President Abbas Ibrahim. The meeting was attended by 85 Members.
The Special Majlis will meet again next Tuesday, 19 April 2005.
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
19 April, 2005
Majlis Members spoke today in support of creating a select committee to look into the manner in which detaining authorities have dealt with and continue to deal with inmates kept in confinement People’s Majlis Members have spoken today in support of creating an adhoc committee of the Majlis to investigate the manner in which detaining authorities have dealt with and continue to deal with inmates confined for investigation purposes or serving sentences.
This support was expressed in the debate that is currently underway in the Majlis on the motion moved by Male’ Member Ibrahim Ismail. The Male’ Member’s motion moved during the previous sitting of the Majlis, was due to the current expression of public concern over the manner in which inmates are treated, the declining public confidence in law enforcement authorities being injurious to the national interest, and enhancing public confidence in law enforcement authorities being relevant for serving the larger national interest.
During today’s debate, it was also proposed that the recommended adhoc committee be constituted with 5 Members of the Majlis, and that the committee be entrusted with the mandate to investigate the treatment previously given, and which is now being given to inmates kept in confinement; and to submit a report to the Majlis containing measures that can be implemented immediately and in the future towards protecting the human and legal rights of such inmates.
In addition to the 14 Members who spoke on the matter, Attorney General Dr Hassan Saeed and the Minister for Defence and National Security Mr Ismail Shafeeu also spoke today. At the close of today’s committee stage, 18 Members are still in queue to speak.
Today’s sitting, attended by 42 Members, was chaired by the Speaker of the People’s Majlis Ahmed Zahir.
Majlis will meet next Monday, 25 April 2005 for its fifteenth sitting this session
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
19 April, 2005
Special Majlis Continues its Deliberations on its Standing Orders The People’s Special Majlis deliberated on two Sections of its Standing Orders today. At the start of the sitting, Section 6 was tabled for debate. No proposals for amendment were put forward by Members on the Section. When it was put to vote, 77 out of the 80 Members present and voting at the time voted in favour of the provision.
Section 7 was then tabled for discussion. Four proposals for amendment were put forward by a total of eight Members, some of them jointly. Only one out of the four gained the acceptance of the Majlis. However, when the whole Section was put to vote incorporating the amendment passed by the Majlis to that Section, it failed to secure a majority of the Majlis. Having failed to sail through, Section 7 is now tabled for discussion again.
Today’s meeting was chaired by the Special Majlis President Abbas Ibrahim. The meeting was attended by 80 Members.
The Special Majlis will meet again next Sunday, 24 April 2005.
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
20 April, 2005
Deputy High Commissioners appointed at all Maldivian High Commissions abroad, and a Deputy Permanent Representative appointed at the Maldivian Permanent Mission to the UN
Mr. Adam Hassan, as a Deputy High Commissioner in the United Kingdom
Deputy High Commissioners have been appointed at all Maldivian High Commissions abroad, and a Deputy Permanent Representative has been appointed at the Maldives Permanent Mission to the United Nations. The appointments are:
• Mr. Adam Hassan, who had been serving as the Counsellor at the High Commission in the UK, as the Deputy High Commissioner in the UK.
• Mr. Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, who had been serving as the Counsellor at the High Commission in Sri Lanka, as the Deputy High Commissioner in Sri Lanka.
• Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, who had been serving as the Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations, as the Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission.
• Mr. Ahmed Latheef as the Deputy High Commissioner in India.
Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
20 April, 2005 A British national who has been promoting the Maldives for many years calls on the President
The President conversing with Mrs. Toni de Laroque, a founder member of the "Friends of Maldives," during her call.
Ms. Toni de Larouque, a British national who has been promoting the Maldives for many years, paid a courtesy call on the president this morning.
The President thanked her for her role in promoting the Maldives in Britain. The President said that the recently established charity organization “Friends of Maldives’ was a very important step to further enhance the relations that exist between the UK and the Maldives. He also noted that Ms. de larouque worked to attract humanitarian relief to the country from the concerned members of the British public. The President thanked Ms. de larouque for gifting a large number of books to the schools of the Maldives.
Ms. de Larouque said that the Friends of Maldives was formed with an important objective. She said that it was a great pleasure to assist in promoting tourism in the Maldives and providing assistance to socio-economic development of the country. Ms. de Larouque praised the efficiency with which the government had conducted in providing relief and basic necessities to those affected by the tsunami. She complimented the governments work in managing the donor assistance.
Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
20 April, 2005 High Commissioner attends the launching ceremony of the One & Only Reethi Rah Resort in UK
April 20, 2005, London: The Opening of One and Only Reethi Rah Resort in Maldives was launched in London last night at the Sketch. Among the attendees were the leading travel & tourism journalists, publishers of fashion magazines and celebrities.
Mr. J.T. Kuhlman, the President of the One and Only group was present and claims that Reethi Rah would surpass expectations in resort luxury.
High Commissioner to United Kingdom, H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir attended the event.
25 April, 2005 Majlis Members continue their debate oncreating a select committee to look into the manner in which detaining authorities have dealt with and continue to deal with inmates kept in confinement
People’s Majlis Members continue their debate on creating an adhoc committee of the Majlis to investigate the manner in which detaining authorities have dealt with and continue to deal with inmates confined for investigation purposes or serving sentences.
The matter, tabled by Male’ Member Ibrahim Ismail at the thirteenth sitting of the current session of the Majlis held on 14 April 2005, reached its third day of debate today.
A total of 30 Members have spoken on the matter so far. The sponsoring Member spoke on the first day. On the second day, 14 Members took part in the discussions. A further 15 Members spoke during today’s sitting. When the sitting concluded for the day, 13 Members had registered to speak.
A proposal to create a 7 member committee was proposed during today’s debate. A different proposal that the same committee can be constituted with 5 members was proposed during the previous day.
During today’s discussions, some Members outlined their perception of the mandate of such a committee. They also stressed the importance of having a committee and the mandate for such a committee.
Majlis is yet to decide on the number of Members to serve on the committee, its composition, and its terms of reference.
Today’s sitting, attended by 44 Members, was chaired by the Speaker of the People’s Majlis Ahmed Zahir.
Majlis will meet next Thursday, 28 April 2005 for its sixteenth sitting this session.
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104
27 April, 2005 "EU earmarks 16 million euros for the Maldives' reconstruction effort following the Asian Tsunami"
London: Euro 16 million worth of EU assistance has been announced by the European Commission's Directorate General for External Affairs (DG Relex) for post-tsunami reconstruction in the Maldives (covering the period 2005-2006).
The European Commission confirmed the funding during a recent visit to Brussels by H.E. Hassan Sobir, Maldives Ambassador to the EU. During the visit, the Ambassador met with key officials from DG Relex and also held discussions with Members of the European Parliament following their recent visit to the Maldives. One key outcome of the meetings was an agreement that the Maldives has been particularly hard hit by the Tsunami, with damage estimated at 62% of GDP, and that the country has a significant funding gap between identified needs and what has been pledged by the international community.
The Euro 16 million now has to be agreed to by the EU Member States. It is expected that a decision will be taken by July, with work then able to start during the second half of 2005. The assistance will be used for various projects to ensure better protected and more environmentally sustainable islands.
28 April, 2005
The President and the British High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mr. Stephen Evans discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The British High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mr. Stephen Evans, called on the President this afternoon. The call was held at the President’s Office.
The President and High Commissioner Evans discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties between the Maldives and the United Kingdom.
High Commissioner Evans assured the President that Britain was eager to provide further assistance towards ongoing national reconstruction and recovery efforts in the Maldives. He also inquired about the progress of the ongoing democratic reform agenda.
The President highlighted that more donor assistance was needed to attain full national recovery after the devastation caused by the tsunami.
Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
27 April, 2005 More aid on the way for Tsunami victims More aid on the way for Tsunami victims
The European Commission keeps its promises. In January 2005 the President of the Commission Mr Barroso assured 473 million euro for 2005 and 2006 to help countries affected by the Tsunami. In order to deliver on this commitment the Commission today proposed 98 million euro in an amending budget and 180 million euro in the proposed budget for 2006. The 278 million euro is meant to help the reconstruction of Asian Tsunami affected regions.
After the adoption of the proposed amending budget 2005 Dalia Grybauskaité, Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, declared: “This shows that the Commission lives up to its earlier promises to the regions hit by the terrible disaster”.
In January 2005 the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council Presidency pledged 473 million euro for 2005 and 2006 to help regions affected by the Tsunami. The pledge was divided in into 123 million euro for humanitarian aid in 2005 and 350 million euro for reconstruction support in 2005 and 2006.
Only a few days after the disaster at the end of December last year the Commission provided an initial 23 million euro in humanitarian aid to meet urgent human needs in the area. This was followed by another 100 million around mid January.
The Commission estimated that 170 million euro was needed for the second phase of the support during 2005. To honour its promises the Commission today decided upon an amending budget, requesting for 98 million euro for 2005 in fresh funds. Technically this implies the mobilisation for the so called flexibility instrument. The remaining 72 million euro will be financed by the budget for Asia, 60 million euro, and by the Rapid Reaction Mechanism, 12 million euro.
An additional 180 million is needed to fulfil the last phase of reconstruction, mainly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Commission has therefore proposed to allocate this amount in the budget for 2006. Again this requires a mobilisation of the flexibility instrument.
It is now for the European Parliament and the Council to decide on these proposals.
Source: European Commission, Brussels
28 April, 2005 Majlis forms a select committee to look into the manner in which detaining authorities have dealt with and continue to deal with inmates kept in confinement After four days of debate, People’s Majlis today adopted a five-Member select committee of the Majlis to investigate the manner in which detaining authorities have dealt with and continue to deal with inmates confined for investigation purposes or serving sentences.
The committee is created after extensive debate on a motion tabled by Male’ Member Ibrahim Ismail on 14 April 2005. The matter was tabled during the thirteenth sitting of the current session of the Majlis.
In between the opening and closing remarks of the Member sponsoring the motion, a total of 36 Members took part in the four-day debate. Some 5 Members spoke more than once.
The matter was handled by the chair in four stages. First, Members debated whether a committee should be created as proposed by the Member sponsoring the motion. When the matter was put to vote today, all 44 Members present and voting at the time concurred.
Then the chair asked Members to decide the number of Members to serve on the committee. A proposal to have a 7 Member committee and a further proposal to have 5 Members on that committee were moved. When put to vote, it was decided by a majority that the number of Members be 5.
Majlis then proceeded to adopt the Members who shall serve on the committee. Two five-Member lists were proposed. When put to vote it was decided that the committee shall have Ibrahim Ismail from Male’, Ibrahim Waheed from Shaviyani Atoll, Zahir Adam from Haa Dhaal Atoll, Ahmed Nazim from Meemu Atoll and Azima Shakoor, a nominated Member.
The chair then asked the Majlis to decide the terms of reference for the committee. Again two distinct proposals were made. When put to vote, none of the proposals succeeded. An extra 48 minutes past the normal hour of suspension was allowed for the Majlis to come to a decision. The Majlis being unable to come to a compromise on the two versions of the terms of reference earlier proposed by Members, the chair concluded the meeting for the day.
It has been announced now that the 17th sitting of the Majlis for this session will be held this Saturday, 30 April to see if matters to do with the committee may be finalized before the Majlis begins its first recess for the year on 1st May. The current first session comes to a close on 30 April. Second session will commence on June 1st.
Ahmed Zahir, Speaker of the People’s Majlis chaired the meeting today. 44 Members attended the meeting.
This News Release is issued by the Secretary General of the Peoples Majlis. Additional Information may be requested from the Majlis Secretariat via email: office@majlis.gov.mv or via fax: ++ 960 – 32 4104