mdpfacecharges
Government shows new maturity in dealing with 'petty annoyance'
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 24th January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Male’ Maldives 24th January 2006 (olhuala.com) – The government's decision not to use forceful intervention to break up the MDP's illegal activities this afternoon signals a new maturity in the way it deals with actions of this type. The gathering was also dismissed as just a 'petty annoyance' by government sources.
Sources within the police confirm that the process of consolidating evidence has started and that charges will shortly be presented to the Attorney General's office with respect to alleged illegal activities today. The police mounted an extensive video, audio and photographic monitoring mission after several messages from government sources had stated the illegality of Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) proposed actions.
Earlier gatherings in 2004 and 2005, admittedly more violent than today's, had seen conservative elements within government get itchy feet and authorise forceful police intervention to disband perpetrators. Today's police actions show a more self-assured stance, with the police and government fully displaying its power by refraining from using force.
The new policy shows clear confidence in the judicial process by all quarters of the government. It is seen to be the most appropriate course of action also by the moderates within the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP).
A source within the police confirms: "Of course we were fully prepared for any eventuality. We were operating under the policy that we would not intervene unless the threat of injury to individuals became extreme.
"There was intimidation, and about a dozen onlookers were beaten up by MDP thugs. We had uncovered their weapons stash yesterday, so they had nothing to attack with. We kept an eye on some of their 'lunch boxes' [MDP members had been asked to bring along water and food for a long stay], but nobody opened them, so we still don't know what was in them".
"Although the current policy is to pursue the matter via the courts, we had the final say in taking decisions on the ground. We would not have let things get out of hand".
It is expected that the Registrar of Elections will take formal action within the coming few days. The MDP leadership will be asked to explain their positions with respect to the Regulations of Political Parties, the same Regulations the Party has agreed to abide by in its Constitution.
A Justice Ministry Official said: "The MDP membership passed its own constitution. It says that they undertake to abide by the Regulations. Their Constitution does not say that it rejects any clause in the Regulations. I think the MDP leadership has a lot to answer for, not least to its own membership".
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Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 24th January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Male’ Maldives 24th January 2006 (olhuala.com) – The government's decision not to use forceful intervention to break up the MDP's illegal activities this afternoon signals a new maturity in the way it deals with actions of this type. The gathering was also dismissed as just a 'petty annoyance' by government sources.
Sources within the police confirm that the process of consolidating evidence has started and that charges will shortly be presented to the Attorney General's office with respect to alleged illegal activities today. The police mounted an extensive video, audio and photographic monitoring mission after several messages from government sources had stated the illegality of Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) proposed actions.
Earlier gatherings in 2004 and 2005, admittedly more violent than today's, had seen conservative elements within government get itchy feet and authorise forceful police intervention to disband perpetrators. Today's police actions show a more self-assured stance, with the police and government fully displaying its power by refraining from using force.
The new policy shows clear confidence in the judicial process by all quarters of the government. It is seen to be the most appropriate course of action also by the moderates within the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP).
A source within the police confirms: "Of course we were fully prepared for any eventuality. We were operating under the policy that we would not intervene unless the threat of injury to individuals became extreme.
"There was intimidation, and about a dozen onlookers were beaten up by MDP thugs. We had uncovered their weapons stash yesterday, so they had nothing to attack with. We kept an eye on some of their 'lunch boxes' [MDP members had been asked to bring along water and food for a long stay], but nobody opened them, so we still don't know what was in them".
"Although the current policy is to pursue the matter via the courts, we had the final say in taking decisions on the ground. We would not have let things get out of hand".
It is expected that the Registrar of Elections will take formal action within the coming few days. The MDP leadership will be asked to explain their positions with respect to the Regulations of Political Parties, the same Regulations the Party has agreed to abide by in its Constitution.
A Justice Ministry Official said: "The MDP membership passed its own constitution. It says that they undertake to abide by the Regulations. Their Constitution does not say that it rejects any clause in the Regulations. I think the MDP leadership has a lot to answer for, not least to its own membership".
Click to read full story