mdptogoageadwithviolence
MDP to go ahead against entire nation
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male, Maldives, 23rd January 2006 (olhuala.com) – The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leadership have reiterated their intention on going ahead with the Party’s planned ‘protest’ on Tuesday (24th) against the wishes of the entire population.
Concerns over the legality of this demonstration, have been raised both in Male’ and the atolls. Residents of Male’ have urged their elected MPs Mohamed Shihab and Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) who are both members of the MDP shadow cabinet to call off the demonstration immediately.
Despite these calls the MDP’s official websites still maintain that the ‘protest’ will go ahead. These websites and other printed leaflets call on all MDP members to come to the “New Harbour” on the western water front of Male’ after Asr prayers. MDP activists have also been asked to bring their children to join the proceedings. MDP leader, Ibra called all party members to partake in the demonstrations with husbands, wives and children in an interview with Haveeru Daily of Male’.
The Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), the Adhaalath Party and the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) have been united in condemning the MDP’s planned mass demonstration. All parties have published official statements to that effect.
“We are not sure if the MDP intends the demonstration to be peaceful, their track record is certainly against them” Ali Rameez a former pop star, who is a prominent member of the Adhaalath Party told olhuala.com.
“The Political Parties’ Regulations defines the places where a political party cannot hold gatherings. Political party gatherings cannot be held on the streets, public squares and sports fields. Gatherings must be in conformity with the Political Parties’ Regulations. If it is violated it will be an unlawful gathering. And hence it is outside the provisions of freedom of assembly granted by Article 26 of the Constitution” said Ahmed Muizz, the MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed’s (Annie) attorney in an interview with Haveeru daily. Mr Muizz’s statements have been met by fierce criticism from the MDP.
One of The MDP’s media outlets Minivan News, operated by David Hardingham, the leader of the international wing of the MDP, in an effort to discredit Mr Muizz said “Attacking Muizzu’s claims Meemu atoll MP and one of the chief organizers of Tuesday’s demonstration, Ahmed Shafeeg, told Minivan to ask Muizzu which law Maumoon [Gayoom] followed when he had a gun strapped to his hip the first time he took the presidential oath. Muizzu declined to comment”.
“These statements show how little the MDP members know, or can remember. I am not sure if Shafeegu would say that. I can remember that day as it was yesterday. It was the 11th of November 1978. I am sure that Maumoon did not have a gun” said Shakir of the DRP, while clarifying this matter to olhuala.com.
The MDP’s decision to use children as political pawns has been met with fierce criticism from the government, a number of non-governmental organisations, all other political parties and the general public alike. In an earlier statement, against her party line, the MDP’s shadow Health Minister Aminath Jameel urged parents not to bring children to the “demonstration”. Sources within the MDP inform olhuala.com that Jameel will most probably be cautioned and reprimanded by the Party for stepping out of line publicly.
Analysts believe that Jameel’s statement is further reason to suspect that the MDP’s intentions are far more sinister than their publicised “peaceful protest”.
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Concerns over the legality of this demonstration, have been raised both in Male’ and the atolls. Residents of Male’ have urged their elected MPs Mohamed Shihab and Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) who are both members of the MDP shadow cabinet to call off the demonstration immediately.
Despite these calls the MDP’s official websites still maintain that the ‘protest’ will go ahead. These websites and other printed leaflets call on all MDP members to come to the “New Harbour” on the western water front of Male’ after Asr prayers. MDP activists have also been asked to bring their children to join the proceedings. MDP leader, Ibra called all party members to partake in the demonstrations with husbands, wives and children in an interview with Haveeru Daily of Male’.
The Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), the Adhaalath Party and the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) have been united in condemning the MDP’s planned mass demonstration. All parties have published official statements to that effect.
“We are not sure if the MDP intends the demonstration to be peaceful, their track record is certainly against them” Ali Rameez a former pop star, who is a prominent member of the Adhaalath Party told olhuala.com.
“The Political Parties’ Regulations defines the places where a political party cannot hold gatherings. Political party gatherings cannot be held on the streets, public squares and sports fields. Gatherings must be in conformity with the Political Parties’ Regulations. If it is violated it will be an unlawful gathering. And hence it is outside the provisions of freedom of assembly granted by Article 26 of the Constitution” said Ahmed Muizz, the MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed’s (Annie) attorney in an interview with Haveeru daily. Mr Muizz’s statements have been met by fierce criticism from the MDP.
One of The MDP’s media outlets Minivan News, operated by David Hardingham, the leader of the international wing of the MDP, in an effort to discredit Mr Muizz said “Attacking Muizzu’s claims Meemu atoll MP and one of the chief organizers of Tuesday’s demonstration, Ahmed Shafeeg, told Minivan to ask Muizzu which law Maumoon [Gayoom] followed when he had a gun strapped to his hip the first time he took the presidential oath. Muizzu declined to comment”.
“These statements show how little the MDP members know, or can remember. I am not sure if Shafeegu would say that. I can remember that day as it was yesterday. It was the 11th of November 1978. I am sure that Maumoon did not have a gun” said Shakir of the DRP, while clarifying this matter to olhuala.com.
The MDP’s decision to use children as political pawns has been met with fierce criticism from the government, a number of non-governmental organisations, all other political parties and the general public alike. In an earlier statement, against her party line, the MDP’s shadow Health Minister Aminath Jameel urged parents not to bring children to the “demonstration”. Sources within the MDP inform olhuala.com that Jameel will most probably be cautioned and reprimanded by the Party for stepping out of line publicly.
Analysts believe that Jameel’s statement is further reason to suspect that the MDP’s intentions are far more sinister than their publicised “peaceful protest”.
Click to read full story