Case MDV 101106
Arbitrary detention/ Ill-treatment/ Harassment
Geneva, 10 November 2006
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in the Republic of Maldives.
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source about the arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of various members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the Southern Atolls of Gaaf Dhaal and Male by policemen between end of October and beginning of November 2006 following a call from the MDP for a country wide demonstration to be originally held on 10 November 2006 to urge for faster constitutional reform.
According to the information received, on 1 November 2006, at approximately 12:00, about 70 riot force police, in full riot gear, arrived by speedboats to Thinadhoo Island in the Southern Atoll of Gaaf Dhaal. Upon arrival, the riot police proceeded straight to the office building of the MDP. While on their way, they apprehended Mr. Mohamed Gasam, Deputy President of the Gaaf Dhaal Constituency of MDP, and forced him to accompany them to the MDP office.
The riot police then reportedly invaded without any search or arrest warrant the MDP office building, where six members of MDP were working. The riot police threatened these individuals by telling them that if they did not leave the office immediately, they would be arrested. The riot force then proceeded to ransack the office and confiscated banners, posters and other material. Following these events, Mr. Mohamed Gasam was taken to a holding cell on Thinadhoo Island straight from MDP office.
On the same day, a group of riot police approached Mr. Mohamed Nazim, Secretary of the Executive Committee for Gaaf Dhaal Constituency of MDP, while he was working in his shop. He was asked to accompany the riot police to the Police station.
It is reported that Mr. Mohamed Gasam and Mr. Mohamed Nazim, both held in solitary cells on Thinadhoo Island, were both pepper sprayed to their face while in detention.
Furthermore, OMCT has been informed that four additional persons are being detained on Thinadhoo Island after island officials reportedly drove around the island announcing that if any protection was given to the hereunder mentioned people, it would be considered an offense.
It is reported that Mr. Mohamed Waheed and Mr. Mohamed Saleem Ali were severely ill-treated during their arrests. While Mr. Mohamed Waheed was brutally hit on the face causing his face to swell up, Mr. Mohamed Saleem Ali’s hand was broken. According to the information, Mr. Mohamed Saleem Ali asked for medical attention but had been denied any medical treatment until 2 November when he was taken to Gaaf Alif Atoll Villingili Island to receive medical assistance. Moreover, according to the information received, around 02:00, Mr. Yamin Mohamed was taken out of his cell, handcuffed and dragged by the neck and severely beaten up by the riot police. Tear gas was also reportedly used inside holding cells allegedly due to excessive noise made by the detainees.
On 3 November 2006, following a demonstration of over 150 people requesting the island Office to calm down the riot police, demonstration which was violently dispersed, additional six MDP members were arrested.
OMCT has also been informed that arrests took place in the capital Male.
The International Secretariat of OMCT expresses its concern over the psychical and psychological integrity of the above mentioned persons. OMCT recalls that these events are in clear infringement of articles 7 and 9 (1), (5) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Republic of Maldives has acceded in September 2006, which state that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment [and that] no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention” and which require that “anyone who has been the victim of unlawful arrest or detention shall have an enforceable right to compensation.” OMCT calls upon the authorities of the Maldives to initiate an impartial investigation into this case of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment by police forces in order to find those responsible for these violations of human rights and to bring them to justice.
Please write to the authorities of the Republic of Maldives urging them to:
Please also write to the embassies of the Republic of Maldives in your respective country.
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Geneva, 10 November 2006
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
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