Maldives: Writer and leading opposition politician Mohamed Nasheed charged PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 08 September 2005
The WiPC of International PEN has protested the decision to charge opposition politician and writer Mohamed Nasheed with terrorism and sedition for "inciting violence against the president" in a speech he made in July.

 

Nasheed was among several members of a newly established opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), arrested on 12 August 2005 during a peaceful protest in Malé.

Nasheed was reportedly charged on 23 August with "terrorism" and "sedition". International PEN considers the charges to be without foundation and brought to curb Nasheed's legitimate political activities. PEN demands Nasheed's immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights. PEN seeks immediate assurances that he is being treated humanely in detention and granted access to any necessary medical care.

For further information, see the following BBC News report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4177840.stm

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to the president:

  • - protesting Nasheed's detention and demanding his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights
  • - seeking immediate guarantees that Nasheed is being treated humanely and granted any necessary medical care


APPEALS TO:

His Excellency President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
The President's Palace
Maafannu Theemuge
Malé 2002, Republic of Maldives
Fax: +960 32 55 00

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

For further information, contact Cathy McCann, WiPC, International PEN, 9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AT, U.K., tel: +44 207 253 3226, fax: +44 207 253 5711, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Internet: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk


 
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