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Police attacks on Media contributes to decline in accountability and democratic backsliding.

Hamdhan Shakeel

Published

11 months ago

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Staff Sergeant Solih is alleged to have threatened local media on the night of 18 May 2022.

The recent rallies and protest calling for the removal of Indian military forces in the Maldives has one undeniable fact, that the Maldives Police Service has become highly critical of local media outlets.

The advent of democracy marked the ushering in of a new era where unlike the yesteryears of Maumoon and his predecessors, the public were free to criticize and call for reform within the government and military forces. No longer were the police able to arrest people in the middle of the night and hold them in solitary confinement till a verdict is passed against them in a highly politicized judiciary.

Just as with every other sate institution, the police were held accountable, senior officers were prosecuted for their actions. Massive reform was made within the institution to hold them accountable and to develop a modern police force.

However, following the appointment of the former officer Mohamed Hameed who had been dismissed for leaking intelligence documents, as the Commissioner of Police, the whole institution has undergone a dramatic backsliding in its reform and development.

As a member of the press, we deal with the Police on a daily basis, submitting queries on a wide range of cases. Maldives Police Service has always not been on much good terms with the media thanks to their apparent prejudice that the media is the antithesis to the police in executing their duties during protest and rallies. However, under Commissioner Mohamed Hameed, the Maldives Police Service has adopted an unprecedented stand against media, actively barring media from covering domestic events.

Echoing the Maumoon era police brutality, the Solih administration has also utilized the Police to cover the brutality towards protestors and the media. Several high-profile attacks on the media has been brought to the attention of international media organizations such as RSF. However, this does not even remotely do justice for the countless attacks against the press, as they too perform their duty.

Their alienation and refusal to cooperate with the fourth estate is evident from their official police media group where the police repeatedly decline to even comment on any query by the press, only releasing statements and other messages they see fit.

Unforeseen to he general public, this poses a serious threat to the fundamental checks and balances in the democratic system where state institutions with overwhelming powers are kept in balance by independent state institutions and the fourth estate. In this case, the police’s refusal to cooperate nor allow the media to freely operate and cover political and other protests pose a direct threat to and contribute to the democratic backsliding in the Maldives, by removing the element of accountability from the equation.

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The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

FI

Published

3 months ago

on

15/01/2023

By

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.

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Hinnavar port and outer wall construction is completed.

FI

Published

3 months ago

on

30/12/2022

By

BY:FATHIMATH LAUZA

The contractor for the Hinnavaru Port Development Project, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), has announced that the land and outside wall have been finished. On November 10, 2020, the Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure tasked MTCC with expanding and modernizing Hinnavaru Port.

Hinnavaru is a significant island in the atoll that is linked to the economic growth of Fadhipolhu. Lack of consultation is a hindrance to transforming the atoll’s island area into a commercial power. A dam was formerly utilized to be designed by everybody in the north of Hinnavaru. After a piece of the port collapsed and the port was rendered unusable, efforts are being made to extend and improve the port in conjunction with the port.

Work on the damaged segment of the harbour and the building of the embankment were completed as part of the project. The exterior wall and groining have also been finished. According to the overall project status, 66% of the work has been accomplished. Hinnavaru’s new port will be 162 meters long and 47 meters broad. The dam work will fill an area of 65,170.76 cubic metres. It will also comprise the building of a 421-metre subterranean tunnel, a 123.9-metre outer wall, and a 140.55-metre revetment.

Fishing boats are constantly present in Hinnavar. Hinnavaru Council also recognized the island’s abundance of private launches and boats. According to the Hinnavaru council, traders and ordinary people suffered greatly as a result of the port’s failure.

According to the Hinnavaru Council, the port development project will alleviate the present challenges in implementing the suggestions, and no more economic growth will be brought to the island.

 

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Security heightened at Indian High Commission in Maldives over arson threat

FI

Published

3 months ago

on

25/12/2022

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Security measures at the Indian High Commission in the Maldives have been heightened following arson threats.

Security measures at Indian High Commission in the Maldives were heightened in connection case under investigation by the police. No further details were disclosed.

Security measures were heightened at the Indian High Commission over a tweet by former State Minister for Finance Abbas Adil Riza, encouraging an arson attack on the building.

Abbas, in a tweet, alleged that arson was committed at Addu City during the unrest by members of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on February 8, 2012 after then-President Mohamed Nasheed’s government was overthrown, was on the orders of India. Noting that revenge has yet to be taken over the matter, Abbas called to set ablaze the Indian High Commission in the Maldives.

Foreign Ministry has also expressed concerns over Abbas’ tweet.

In a statement, the Ministry, said that the government was investigating the case as a serious matter whereas security forces have administered the necessary security measures over the threat.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has described Abbas’ tweet as an act of terrorism. On this note, he said that encouragement of terrorism will be investigated as very serious matters.

Political parties including MDP, Adhaalath Party and MRM have condemned the tweet as well.

Source(s): sun.mv

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