05_2005

3 May, 2005 Majlis decides mandate for its select committee created to investigate how inmates kept in investigation or sentence related confinement have been and continue to be dealt with by detaining authorities People’s Majlis today decided the terms of reference for its five-Member select committee created last Thursday to investigate how inmates kept in investigation or sentence related confinement have been and continue to be dealt with by detaining authorities.

During the committee stage on the matter today, a total of 17 Members spoke on the issue. There was also debate on the matter last Thursday, in the 16th sitting of the Majlis, where two proposals were made. However when put to vote, none of those two proposals sailed through that day. A compromise draft containing strategic aspects of both those proposals was adopted unanimously by the 46 Members present and voting at today’s 17th sitting.

The terms of reference of the select committee as adopted by the Majlis include examining if persons kept in investigation or sentence related confinement have been and continue to be dealt with according to law, and submitting to the Majlis any steps that need to be taken in that regard; and submitting to the Majlis, measures that can be implemented immediately and in the future towards protecting the human and legal rights of such inmates.

The conclusion of today’s sitting also signifies the conclusion of business for the current first session. Majlis will begin its first recess for the year on 1st May. The second session of the Majlis will commence on June 1st.

Ahmed Zahir, Speaker of the People’s Majlis chaired the sitting today. 46 Members attended the sitting.

London: Maldivian student, Mr. Ibrahim Shareef, who is undertaking a Master’s degree in International Travel and Tourism Management at the Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom called on the High Commissioner this morning.

Mr. Shareef interviewed the High Commissioner on the development of tourism in the Maldives and High Commissioner’s experience while serving as the Tourism Minister in the Maldives. During this meeting, High Commissioner Sobir, who served as former Tourism Minister over the last 6 years, shared his knowledge and experiences in the sector and responded to the questions raised by Mr. Shareef.

Mr. Sobir commenting on the future development of tourism stated that the destination management and clear linkage with community need to the emphasized. More local inputs in to the supply chains can only guarantee greater multiplier effect of this vital industry. Thus regulatory mechanisms need to be established to ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared more evenly. He also stressed the needs for better market mix in products development. Mr. Sobir was the Minister of Maldives Tourism at the turn of the century and faced challenging times of 9/11, Iraq war and SARs .

High Commissioner Sobir welcomed the opportunity of meeting Mr. Shareef, and expressed interest in his chosen topic of research.

5 May, 2005 Maldives Government looks to remove remaining obstacles to multipartyism

Malé, Wednesday, 4 May 2005 – The President of the Maldives, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, announced today a new initiative aimed at accelerating the country’s political reforms.

Speaking following a meeting of his Cabinet, the President confirmed that Attorney General Dr Hassan Saeed had, at his request, examined the feasibility of bringing forward the introduction of political parties, rather than waiting for the Special Majlis to conclude its review of the country’s Constitution.

"I have studied the formal Opinion of my predecessor, dating back to 2001, which formed the basis for the decision of the Majlis at that time that the Constitution did not provide for the existence of political parties," said Dr Saeed. "My conclusion is that, whilst the previous Opinion was not necessarily incorrect, the obstacles noted do not form an absolute barrier to the registration of political parties, and could be overcome relatively simply by a package of legislative measures and executive devices within the framework of the existing Constitution."

The next step, President Gayoom said, would be for the Majlis to examine Dr Saeed’s Opinion and proposed measures when it reconvenes on 2 June from its current recess. He called on all Maldivians to take an active interest in the ongoing reform process, and to commit to a peaceful and cooperative transition to multiparty democracy.

Commenting on the announcement, Chief Government Spokesman Dr Ahmed Shaheed said:

"We have felt for some time, as have our friends in the European Parliament and elsewhere in the international community, that the reform process has not been progressing quickly enough. So, rather than wait for a new Constitution, we hope that this interim measure can be passed quickly to allow for the formation of political parties. This move should send a strong signal to all those with an interest, both here in the Maldives and elsewhere, that this government is serious about reform and is determined to back up words with actions.

The final decision must rest with the Majlis, who took the initial decision in 2001 that political parties were not provided for in the Constitution. But we are hopeful that the Majlis will agree with the opinion of the Attorney General, and will pass the required legislation without delay. This is a huge step forward for the Maldives, as we continue towards our goal of a diverse yet united multiparty society. In the current stage of our national development, a healthy multiparty system will aid social cohesion rather than cause division."

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

5 May, 2005 The President decides to ask the People’s Majlis to reconsider the decision of 2001 on registration of political parties

The President informed the Cabinet today that he had decided to ask the People’s Majlis to reconsider the decision taken in June 2001 on the registration of political parties in the Maldives. He said that he had decided on that course of action in order to fast track the reform agenda that he had proposed last year.

Outlining the reasons for his decision, the President stressed the need to expedite the reform agenda, and expressed his determination to implement various reform measures even before the completion of the work of the Special Majlis in revising the Constitution. He said that the reviewing of the decision on political parties was part of a wider package of reforms that he intended to fast track.

In addition, today’s Cabinet meeting also discussed a number of draft bills to be included in the legislative programme for the year, and finalized three draft bills for submission to the People’s Majlis. These were bills on immigration, deposit library, and co-operative societies.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

6 May, 2005 The President congratulates Tony Blair on his re-election as the Prime Minister of the UK

The President today congratulated Mr. Tony Blair on his re-election as the Prime Minister of UK, for a historic third term of office.

In a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Blair, the President extended sincere good wishes, on behalf of the Government, and people and on his own behalf, on the victory achieved by the Labour Party in the general election. He noted that the party’s achievement in the elections reflected the British people’s confidence in Prime Minister Blair’s leadership.

The President also expressed his hope that the close relations of friendship and cooperation that existed between the two countries would continue to grow stronger in the years to come.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

12 May, 2005 High Commissioner Sobir participates in the Indian Ocean Tsunami Memorial Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral

London, 11 May 2005: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair joined the bereaved families at a special national service to remember the many thousands who perished in the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster.

The service was held at 1530 hours at the St. Paul’s Cathedral in London attended by friends and families of the victims, survivors, and police and aid workers who helped in the rescue and recovery operation.

At this service, film director Lord Attenborough gave an emotional and touching reading in remembrance of his granddaughter and daughter who were victims of the Boxing Day tragedy. Personal accounts were given from the injured and bereaved of the British victims and rescue workers.

The services also featured a procession by members of the British families who lost loved ones in the Boxing Day catastrophe along with representatives from the countries that suffered in the Tsunami.

A two-minute silence marked by 300,000 petals, one for each person killed, taken from flowers associated with the 12 countries affected by the disaster were gently dropped from the cathedral’s dome and galleries. There were Jasmine flowers for Indonesia and Burma. Waterlilies for Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh, the lotus for India, Pink rose for the Maldives, protea for Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia, Orchids for the Seychelles and hibiscus for Malaysia.

High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir participated in the special memorial service in remembrance of the thousands of victims in the Tsunami disaster. Dr. Hassan Shafeeu, as representative of the Maldives participated in the procession by representatives of the families of British victims and countries suffered in the Tsunami.

London: Ambassador to European Union H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir today called on the Member of the European Parliament, Mrs. Jean Lambert, (Greens, UK) who was part of the European Parliamentary Delegation’s visit to Maldives 26-29 March 2005.

Ambassador Sobir thanked Mrs. Lambert and her colleagues for undertaking the visit to Maldives, the first such visit by a delegation from the European Parliament, at a time when Maldives needed the International support and assistance in reconstruction in the aftermath of the Tsunami.

Ambassador Sobir noted that the Maldivian Government is grateful to Mrs. Lambert and her colleagues for helping to highlight the message about the Post-Tsunami aid shortfall in the Maldives and the unfortunate timing of the Maldives’ graduation from LDC status. Mrs. Lambert said, their visit to Maldives was very informative and enabled them to see the destruction personally and understand the economic difficulties faced by the Maldives.

Speaking on the reform agenda Ambassador Sobir conveyed to Mrs. Lambert that the Government of Maldives welcomed the valuable recommendations made by the European Parliament regarding the political reforms. Mrs. Lambert said she sees the initiatives and changes proposed by the Maldivian government to push urgent reforms as a very positive action.

Ambassador Sobir and Mrs. Lambert further discussed the announcements made by President Gayoom of further political reforms, in particular the removal of obstacles to multi parties and looked at the progress in the reform process.

Mr. Adam Hassan, Deputy High Commissioner and Ms. Iruthisham Adam, First Secretary of the High Commission participated in the meeting.

London: His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of the Republic of Maldives briefly stopped over in London this afternoon en-route to Geneva, to address at the 58th World Health Assembly.

His Excellency the President was greeted on arrival at the Heathrow Airport in London by the High Commissioner of Maldives to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir, senior officials of the High Commission of Maldives and the officials of the Foreign Office VIP Lounge.

During his brief stop over, His Excellency President Gayoom inquired on the wellbeing of the Maldivians in the United Kingdom.

17 May 2005, London: The State Opening of the Parliament was held today. Her Majesty the Queen delivered a speech from the grand throne in the House of Lords, which outlined the British Government's program for the new Parliament.

High Commissioner Hassan Sobir also attended the function of the Parliament. Following the function, High Commissioner also attended a reception hosted at the Commonwealth Parliament Association.

London: High Commissioner His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir today called on Mr. Phil Talbot, Director of Communications and members of the British Red Cross team who has been dealing with the relief and recovery programmes for the Maldives.

British Red Cross team praised the efficient manner in which the Maldives handled the relief and recovery activities in the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster.

High Commissioner Sobir was briefed by the British Red Cross on their involvement in the activities of the Maldives Disaster Management Centre and the findings of need assessment done on the Maldives. The team also provided detailed information on the programmes they are undertaking in the Maldives and logistical plans for construction of the shelters and livelihood destroyed in the Tsunami disaster.

High Commissioner Sobir thanked British Red Cross for their timely delivery of immediate relief to the Maldives, and for the valuable assistance and work being carried out in consultation with the Government of Maldives for the reconstruction phase.

Mr. Adam Hassan, Deputy High Commissioner and Ms. Iruthisham Adam, First Secretary of the High Commission also participated in the meeting.

The European Commission today approved detailed plans for €323 million of its €350 million post-tsunami reconstruction programme, which will be delivered over the coming two years. €12 million has been immediately released under the Rapid Reaction Mechanism (RRM) to kick-start this longer-term reconstruction work. This builds on the Commission’s €123 million humanitarian aid that started flowing days after the disaster struck.

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said “I promised the tsunami victims that I would stand by them, giving them the resources needed to rebuild their communities and restart their livelihoods. Today I deliver on that promise with the final phase of our response”. The Commissioner added that, “I hope that, from this terrible disaster, groups with past differences in Aceh and Sri Lanka can be brought together in the common reconstruction efforts and can find a peaceful settlement.”

This marks the second part of the Commission’s aid response announced by President Barroso in January at the Jakarta donor’s conference. The first phase saw €123 million of humanitarian assistance. This reconstruction phase includes the Tsunami Indicative Programme that totals €323 million spread over two years. The remaining €27 million comes under regional and RRM funds.

The plans released today detail how the Commission proposes to help address the longer-term needs of the victims. The Commission will focus on repairing housing and social amenities, restarting livelihoods so that individuals and their families can get back to leading their own lives and repairing larger infrastructures, such as roads.

In Indonesia, €208 million will support the Government of Indonesia’s Multi-Donor Trust Fund to maximise efficiency and effectiveness in repairing and reinforcing affected communities’ infrastructures and services, restarting the livelihoods of affected people and enhancing the environmental sustainability of coastal areas. Money will also go to strengthen the capacity of local government in Aceh. This will indirectly contribute to facilitating later arrangements for self-government.

In Sri Lanka, up to €100 million will be provided for two main areas – up to €60 million to support the restarting of community livelihoods and rebuilding of communal infrastructure in the north and east and €40 million for reconstruction of 200 kilometres of the coastal road in the south.

In the Maldives, €17 million will help to restart livelihoods and to repair damaged housing on affected atolls. It will also support the Government of Maldives’ in safeguarding against future disaster and boosting longer-term regional development through its ‘safe islands’ programme.

€25 million will fund regional and horizontal activities, including a tsunami EU Coastal Zone Management Facility, technical assistance to European Investment Bank lending and support to early warning systems.

Source: The European Commission

23 May, 2005 Former US President Bill Clinton to visit Maldives

According to a statement released by the Clinton Foundation on the 19 May 2005, former United States President Bill Clinton is scheduled to visit Maldives on 29 May 2005.

Clinton’s visit to the Maldives is to reassess the situation after tsunami disaster whereby his main focus will be the donors’ commitment to the recovery plans and also the “adopt an island” initiative. During the visit Clinton is expected to meet all the concerned parities including the government, civil society, the UN, donors and the private sector to assess the current status of the recovery effort.

Bill Clinton is expected to visit the other tsunami affected countries on the visit to South Asia.

Source: The Clinton Foundation

23 May, 2005 The President requests the People’s Majlis to reconsider the decision of 2001 on registration of political parties

The President has requested the People’s Majlis to reconsider the decision taken by the Majlis in June 2001 on the registration of political parties in the Maldives. In a letter to the Speaker of the Majlis, Mr. Ahmed Zahir, the President requested the Speaker to submit the matter to the second session of the People’s Majlis for this year, which will begin on 1 June.

The President recalled that in 2001, he had asked the People’s Majlis for its opinion on the registration and functioning of political parties in the Maldives, following a request to the Government by some individuals to form a political party in the country. On that occasion the Majlis had decided to reject the request.

The President said in the letter that in the four years since the decision of the Majlis, the country had attained tremendous progress in a variety of fields including social and economic progress and political awareness. He stated that in order to attain further national development and to modernise the political system, the country was ready for sweeping democratic reform.

The President noted that the work of the People’s Special Majlis to amend the Constitution was progressing slower than desired, but that he was determined to implement various reform measures even before the Special Majlis conclude its deliberations on constitutional amendment. The President said that given the progress attained by the nation and heightened political awareness of the people, he believed that the country was ready for political parties. He said that the reviewing of the decision on political parties was part of a wider package of reforms that he intended to fast-track.

In his letter to the Speaker, the President recalled that when the Government was petitioned on the registration of a party in 2001, he had sought the legal opinion of the then Attorney General who had advised him that the current Constitution was not framed in a manner to accommodate the functioning of political parties. He further informed the Speaker that in reviewing the position on the registration on political parties, he had sought the advice of the current Attorney General, who had rendered a legal opinion which states the current Constitution allowed for the registration and functioning of political parties.

On 4 May 2005, the President had informed the Cabinet of his intention to request the Majlis to reconsider its earlier decision not to allow the registration of political parties in the Maldives.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

27 May, 2005 Ambassador Sobir’s visit to Brussels, 24-25 May 2005

Ambassador of Maldives to European Union, His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir visited Brussels on 24-25 May 2005 to provide updates on the situation in the Maldives to the European Union officials and journalists, and to develop closer Maldives-EU relationship,

On this two day visit, Ambassador Sobir held meetings with the EU delegations, notably the French, Italian, Spanish and Polish Permanent Representations to the EU and some key members of the European Parliament. During these meetings, Ambassador explained the reconstruction needs of the Maldives and the fact that Maldives was one of the worst hit in economic terms by the Tsunami. Ambassador highlighted the shortfall of international aid which is critical for the Maldives.

Ambassador also met with EU Reporters and some International journalists to brief them on the EU-Maldives relations, the post-Tsunami reconstruction efforts and the shortfall of aid.

On his return Ambassador Sobir said, “ I am very encouraged by the positive move by the key members of the EU and their focus to the Maldives”.

READ MORE NEWS>>> 274 1 0 1 155 2 suja 1117457615 5 2005 Visiting a peaceful country like the Maldives is a great pleasure, says President Clinton Visiting a peaceful country like the Maldives is a great pleasure, says President Clinton 28 May 2005, Male': The President tonight met with the former US President Bill Clinton. The meeting was held at Malé International Airport.

The President warmly welcomed President Clinton to the Maldives for a second time. He thanked President Clinton for commending the recovery and reconstruction plan of the Maldives, and drawing world attention to the country. He said that he was confident that the current visit would also re-focus international attention to the Maldives and its tsunami recovery needs.

The President briefed President Clinton on the ongoing reconstruction programme of the country, updating on progress made since their last meeting in February, and highlighted areas in which further specific action was required to ensure continued recovery and macroeconomic stability. The President noted the volume of aid received, the amounts pledged, the financing gaps, and the areas with the biggest shortfall.

The President further briefed President Clinton on the ongoing democratic reform programme. He noted that certain reform measures were being fast-tracked and that these included the introduction of a multiparty system. He also mentioned the wide ranging reforms being brought to the criminal justice system and the pursuit of legal reform.

President Clinton said that he continued to be impressed with the Maldives and the manner in which it was approaching the recovery phase. He said that the Maldives had inspired other countries to aspire to the standards that it had set in its recovery plans and in the communication of its financing needs and requirements, and he thanked the Maldives for the good impact that its efforts were having on the other affected countries.

Responding to matters that President Gayoom highlighted as areas requiring further action, President Clinton agreed to assist in mobilising aid to bridge the remaining financing gaps. He also said that he would help in getting tourism back on its feet by working to raise the international media profile of the Maldives as an attractive tourism destination. In addition, President Clinton also agreed to assist in finding markets for the private sector of the Maldives to earn foreign exchange through new exports, and in supporting a longer smooth transition period for the Maldives for graduation from the UN’s list of least developed countries.

President Clinton also said that it was a great pleasure for him to visit a country like the Maldives where there was peace, stability and harmony. He noted that the Maldives was a good place to visit, in a world where many countries were torn by civil strife and discord.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

26 May, 2005 In the spirit of the President’s reform agenda, the President identifies measures to ensure the independence of the judiciary

In the spirit of the President’s reform agenda, the President has identified measures to ensure the independence of the judiciary. As a first step in this regard, the President today decided to establish a Judicial Services Commission. In addition, the Chief Justice is to be assigned supervision of the courts of first-instance, except for administrative matters which will continue to be carried out by the Ministry of Justice.

The decision was adopted today, after the Cabinet discussed a paper on measures to strengthen the independence of the judiciary.

The main duties of the Judicial Services Commission will include making recommendations on the appointment and removal of Judges, and on upholding codes of conduct of Judges. The Commission will also advise on salaries and other remunerations of Judges.

Details of these matters will be announced by the Government shortly.

In today’s meeting, the President also briefed the Cabinet on his recent visit to Geneva to deliver the Keynote Address at the 58th World Health Assembly, and on the forthcoming visit to the Maldives of former US President Bill Clinton, in his capacity as the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy to the tsunami affected countries.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives