2 September, 2005 Maldives’ Government invites all political parties for dialogue on the reform process

The Maldives Law Commission has invited all political parties for consultations on legislation to be tabled at the People’s Majlis (the Parliament) to provide a statutory framework for the operation and conduct of political parties. Such consultations are to begin on Monday and will include other reform measures currently being prepared by the Law Commission.

The current regulatory framework for political parties was announced on 5 June 2005 by presidential decree, in order to expedite the creation and operation of political parties in the Maldives. The introduction of a multiparty system is a major pillar of the sweeping constitutional reform agenda outlined by President Gayoom on 9 June 2004. The measure was fast-tracked by the Government this year due to the slow progress of the work of the People’s Special Majlis (the Constitutional Assembly).

The consultations initiated by the Maldives Law Commission are aimed at preparing various pieces of legislation for the third session of Parliament which will commence in early October. Both the Parliament and the Constitutional Assembly are currently in recess at the close of the second session, which ended in August of this year.

When the Assembly resumes in October, it is likely to be able to start discussions on substantive elements of reform from about the second sitting onwards, as the standing orders have almost been completed.

Commenting on the announcement by the Maldives Law Commission, the Chief Government Spokesman, Mohamed Hussain Shareef noted:

”Reform is an inclusive process and the initiation of consultations on major reform legislation by the Law Commission is a historic step forward in the strident march towards multiparty democracy in the Maldives. We hope that all parties will appreciate the value of dialogue and discussion in carrying forward the democratic process in a peaceful manner, to make the Maldives a twenty-first century democracy.”

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

3 September, 2005 Maldivian Foreign Minister welcomes continued international support for the government's programme of democratic reform

Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed today welcomed the statement by the EU Presidency following its fact-finding mission to the Maldives. Stressing the need for peaceful democratic progress regardless of political conviction, Shaheed said:

"We were very grateful to the EU Presidency for sending a fact-finding mission to the Maldives to evaluate the events surrounding the disturbances of 12 - 14 August, rather than simply accepting as fact the protestations of anti-government propagandists operating abroad.

Like all democratically-minded Maldivians, I was saddened and disappointed by the August disturbances, and by the fact that there remain those in our country who would rather advance their own political agenda by destabilising and violent means. But for the vast majority committed to a peaceful and progressive political future, we must look forward.

International scrutiny remains key to the legitimacy and success of our reform programme. In this regard I reiterate my appreciation of the EU's interest in our ongoing transformation, and would like to invite and encourage further such fact-finding missions to the Maldives on a regular basis."

“On Thursday, the Attorney-General invited all parties to discuss proposed legislation on various reform measures, such as legislation relating to the Human Rights Commission and on a statutory framework for political parties. This marks the start of an inclusive and participatory approach to democratic reform, and a further step to strengthen the peaceful path to full democracy.”

Commenting on the detail of the EU Presidency statement, Chief Government Spokesman Mohammed Hussain Shareef said:

"The fact-finding mission's report expresses, quite rightly, the need for those arrested during the disturbances to receive fair and expeditious treatment at the hands of the Maldivian judiciary. The President has sought and has received assurances, from the Home Affairs Minister, the Attorney General and the Justice Minister, that this will indeed be the case. Many of the recent reforms to the judicial processes remain untested, and in this regard we welcome international interest in the forthcoming trial proceedings. We hope and expect that, should concerns arise, the ICJ, EU and other interested parties will raise them with the government; and if they do, we shall take immediate steps to address them."

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

6 September, 2005 Maldives Runners up for the favourite island – by the Conde’ Nast Readers Awards 2005

The once quiet archipelago is show casing some of the luxurious brands of resorts in the world. It offers space and privacy that no other destination can truly match. Among the big attractions are also an underwater restaurant and spa claiming the positions of world’s first.

Conde’ Nast Traveller magazine, voted Britain’s Best Consumer lifestyle magazine awarded Maldives the runner up position for the favourite island in the world based on their readers. The High Commissioner of Maldives in the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir received the Award last night from Ms. Sarah Miller, Editor at a ceremony held last night in London. “Maldives: a destination where tourism and the fragile eco-system seem to co-exist happily” writes Sara Miller. Bali came first and Sicily and Seychelles taking the third and fourth place respectively.

6 September, 2005 The Government makes a symbolic donation towards humanitarian relief efforts in the US after Hurricane Katrina

The Government of Maldives has made a symbolic donation of Twenty five Thousand United States Dollars (US$ 25,000) towards humanitarian relief efforts in the United States following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The donation was handed over to the Acting US Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Mr. James Entwistle, by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed. The presentation was made at a meeting held today at the US Embassy in Colombo.

Highlighting that the Hurricane Katrina had taken many lives and caused extensive destruction in a number of States, Dr. Shaheed conveyed heartfelt condolences to President Bush, the Government and people of America, on behalf of President Gayoom, the Government and people of the Maldives. The Foreign Minister also noted the tremendous support and timely assistance that the United States had extended to the Maldives, after every national tragedy.

Mr. Entwistle thanked the President, the Government and people of the Maldives for the donation. He also briefed Dr. Shaheed on the ongoing relief efforts in the US to help the victims of the disaster.

On 30 August 2005 the President sent a message of sympathy to President Bush, following the reports of the loss of life and injury to many people being caused by Hurricane Katrina in southern coastal areas of the United States.

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

16 September, 2005 Ambassador Sobir holds Tsunami Recovery talks with key members of the European Union

Brussels, 14/15 September 2005: Ambassador of Maldives to the European Union, His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir visited Brussels from 14-15 September 2005 to hold tsunami recovery talks relating to Maldives entry into third country development aid agreement with European Investment Bank (EIB).

Importance of this visit was to urge the EU institutions to speedily adopt legislation endorsing the EIB’s decision to provide the Maldives with loan assistance through the Asia-Latin America (ALA) facility. In order for the legislation to be adopted, European Council will draft a proposal and send it to the European Parliament and the Council for approval. Adoption of the legislation will pave the way for credit facilities for the Maldives.

Ambassador Sobir also updated the MEPs on the events of 12-14 August 2005 in Male’ and the response by the Government.

Among the officials who met Ambassador Sobir, Dr. Charles Tannock, MEP, Mr. James Morrison, Asia Desk Officer, UK Permanent Representation to the EU, Mr. Jan Mulder, Mr. Vice-Chairman of the SAARC delegation, Mr. Christopher Rauh, Development Officer, German Permanent Representation all expressed appreciation for the swift progress in political reform in the Maldives, and emphasised the need for law and order particularly during the transition stage.

22 September, 2005 President visits Muslim Aid in London and East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre

The President visited the Muslim Aid’s London head office and the East London Mosque and London Muslim Center yesterday. Both these offices are situated in the same building. He visited these places on invitation extended by these organisations.

Muslim Aid is an international relief and development charity working to alleviate the suffering among the world’s poorest and most needy communities, regardless of race, creed or nationality. It was also one of the first organisations to assist the Maldives following the tsunami.

The President met with senior officials of Muslim Aid. He was welcomed on arrival at Muslim Aid by the Chief Executive Officer of the London Head Office, Mr. Ebrahimsa Mohammed, the Director Mr. Delowar Hussain Khan and the Vice Chairman, Mr. Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin.

The President thanked the senior officials for the work being carried out by the organisation in the Maldives, and also briefed them on the post-tsunami national recovery programme.

During his visit to the East London Mosque, the President performed the afternoon prayers and spoke at a function held at the Center. About eight hundred people were present at the Mosque.

Speaking in Arabic and English, the President looked at the challenges facing the international Muslim communities. He also spoke on the devastation caused to the Maldives following the tsunami and the ongoing national recovery programme. He said that even though the country had received international relief for the reconstruction, further assistance was necessary.

The President also spoke on the reform agenda being implemented in the Maldives. He pointed out that multi-party system has been introduced, and measures were being taken to strengthen the criminal justice system and human rights protection in the country.

The Chairman of East London Mosque, Dr. Mohammed Abdul Bari delivered the welcome remarks at the function.

After the speech, the President toured the London Muslim Centre. The Centre is instrumental to educating Muslims of all ages, creating awareness on Islam and conducting workshops and meetings. The President donated books on the Maldives to the Centre.

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

22 September, 2005 Foreign Minister pledges to “Do all that is required and then some to ensure that our people live in larger freedom as envisaged in the United Nations Charter”

21 Sept. 2005: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Ahmed Shaheed today pledged to do all that was required and then some to ensure that the people of the Maldives lived in larger freedom as envisaged in the United Nations Charter. Minister Shaheed was speaking today at the plenary of the sixtieth session of United Nations General Assembly.

The Minister’s statement focused primarily on the economic situation of the country after the tsunami and the ongoing democratic reform program in the country which was aimed at making the Maldives a twenty-first century democracy that met international norms and standards and human rights protection. Minister Shaheed said the country was undertaking unprecedented legal and judicial reforms designed to achieve a comprehensive modernization of the criminal justice system. He also said that a Constitutional Assembly was in session to draw-up a modern democratic constitution which will embed liberal democracy in the country and strengthen adherence to international standards in civil liberties and human rights protection.

Minister Shaheed said that although Article 2.7 of the Charter left out internal affairs of states from the UN forum, the Maldives was of the view that the aspirations of its people to build a modern and mature democracy at home were important enough to be articulated before the Assembly.

He also expressed support for the initiative to establish a Democracy Fund.

Minister Shaheed also called for the effective follow-up of the Outcome Document of the High-level Plenary of the Assembly concluded last week. Expressing shock and horror over the July bombings in London and other incidents of international terrorism elsewhere, Minister Shaheed called for the effective implementation of measures agreed to combat international terrorism and to strengthen security and peace building. He also expressed support for the further strengthening of the UN machinery on human rights.

The Maldives also called for the pursuit of Security Council reforms before the year’s end.

Minister Shaheed also expressed thanks to President Clinton for his commitment to coordinating international efforts for the recovery of the countries affected by the tsunami.

Noting that today marked the 40th anniversary of the Maldives admission to the UN, Minister Shaheed recalled with appreciation the support that the Maldives had received over the years from the UN system and its membership.

Full text of the Statement

London, 20 September 2005: His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of the Republic of Maldives visited the High Commission of Maldives in the United Kingdom on his return journey from New York to attend the High Level Plenary Meeting on the UN Millennium Declaration and the “Clinton Global Initiative”. President Gayoom was received at the High Commission by His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir, High Commissioner of Maldives to the United Kingdom.

During this visit, President Gayoom inquired on the welfare of the Maldivian students and Maldivians resident in the United Kingdom. Speaking about the ongoing reform agenda, President Gayoom reaffirmed his commitment for its successful implementation.

High Commissioner Sobir briefed President Gayoom on the current developments on the bilateral and parliamentary relations between the Government of the Maldives and the United Kingdom. He also touched on the technical and advisory assistance for the constitutional reform of the Maldives by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

President was also briefed by High Commissioner Sobir on the efforts made to strengthen the relations between the Maldives and the European Union. High Commissioner Sobir noted the inclusion of Maldives in the European Investment Bank Asia-Latin America (ALA) credit facility scheme, and the negotiations carried forward to enable assistance for the Tsunami-Recovery Plus programme of the Maldives.

His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sobir thanked the President for the visit. High Commissioner Sobir also congratulated the President for the rapid progress in the political reform in the Maldives.

In a ceremony held this morning at the Bangladesh High Commission in London, a cheque amounting £8,000.00 was donated by the Bangladeshi Community in the United Kingdom to the “High Commission of Maldives Tsunami Fund”. The cheque was received by Mr. Adam Hassan, Acting and Deputy High Commissioner from the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to the United Kingdom H.E. A.H. Mofazzal Karim.

The money is the outcome of the fund raising programmes organized by the Bangladeshi community in United Kingdom with the assistance of the Bangladesh High Commission, for the people affected by the Tsunami. Along with Maldives, a donation also made to the people affected in Sri Lanka, and was received by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner H.E. Mrs. Kshenuka Senewirate.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Adam Hassan expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of the people and Government of Maldives to the Bangladeshi Community in United Kingdom for this generous donation. He also said that the tsunami which hit Maldives on 26 December 2004 was a nation-wide disaster which caused server damage to the physical infrastructure of many islands. He said that the tsunami has set back the several years the high levels of social progress and prosperity achieved in recent years by the Government of Maldives. He said that sever damage was caused to houses, tourist resorts, boats and other fishing equipments, schools and health facilities etc. He stated that there is huge short fall in financial assistance pledged and so far received from the donor agencies and other friendly countries and Maldives is in need of urgent financial assistance to recover from its current status.