ފަތުރުވެރިންނަށް އަމާޒުކޮށް ދިން ޓެރެރިސްޓް ހަމަލާ މި އަމަލު ކުށްވެރިކޮށް, ގަރާރެއް ފާސްކުރުމަށް މަޖިލީހަށް ސަރުކާރުން ހުށަހަޅައިފި

އިއްޔެ ު

ސަލްޓަން ޕާކުގައި އެއްޗެއް ގޮއްވާލުމާގުޅިގެން, އެ އަމަލު ކުށްވެރިކޮށް ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުން ގަރާރެއް ފާސްކުރުމަށް އެދި ސަރުކާރުން ހުށަހަޅައިފި ކަމަށް ރައީސް އޮފީހުން މިއަދު ބުނެފި އެވެ

ރައީސް އޮފީހުން ނެރެފައިވާ ބަޔާނެއްގައި ބުނެފައިވަނީ މިދިޔަ ހޮނިހިރު ދުވަހު ސަލްޓަން ޕާކުގައި އެއްޗެއް ގޮއްވާލުމާގުޅިގެން, އެތައް ބަޔަކަށް ޖިސްމާނީ އަދި ނަފްސާނީ ގެއްލުންތަކެއް ލިބުނު މައްސަލައިގައި, އެ އަމަލުކުށްވެރިކޮށް ގަރާރެއް ފާސްކުރުމަށް އެދި ސަރުކާރުން މައްސަލައެއް ހުށަހަޅާފައިވާ ކަމަށެވެ

ރާއްޖޭގެ ރައްޔިތުންގެ ފުރާނައަށާއި ސަލާމަތަށާއި, މުދަލަށާއި ރާއްޖޭގެ ފަތުރުވެރިކަމަށާއި ރާއްޖޭގައި އިންވެސްޓްކޮށްގެން އުޅޭ ބޭރުގެ ފަރާތްތަކާއި އެ މީހުންގެ ފުރާނައާއި މުދަލަށާއި ތަކެއްޗަށާއި ރާއްޖެ އަށް އެކިބޭނުންތަކުގައި ޒިޔާރަތްކުރާ ބޭރު މީހުންނަށް ސީދާގޮތުންނާއި ނުސީދާގޮތުން ގެއްލުމެއް ވެދާނެ ނުވަތަ އުނިކަމެއް އަތުވެދޭނެ އެއްވެސް ކަމެއް ނުކުރުމަށް ވެސް އެ ގަރާރުގައި ގޮވާލާފައިވާނެ ކަމަށް ރައީސް އޮފީހުން ނެރުނު ބަޔާނުގައި ބުނެފައިވެ އެވެ. ހޮނިހިރު ދުވަހުގެ 2:36 ހާގއިރު ޕާކުގައި ދިން ޓެރަރިސްޓު ހަމަލާގައި 12 ފަތުރުވެރިއަކަށް ތަފާތު ގެއްލުންތައް ލިބިފައިވެ އެވެ. އޭގެ ތެރޭގައި ދެ މީހަކަށް ސީރިއަސް އަނިޔާތައް ލިބިފައިވެ އެވެ. ގެއްލުން ލިބުނު ފަތުރުވެރިންގެ ތެރެއިން 10 މީހުން މިހާރުވަނީ ދޫކޮށްލައިފަ އެވެ

އެ ހަމަލައާ ގުޅިގެން ފުލުހުން ވަނީ 10 މީހަކު ހައްޔަރުކޮށްފަ އެވެ. އޭގެތެރޭގައި ދެ ބިދޭސީން ހިމެނޭ ކަމަށާއި ދެން ތިބީ ދިވެހިން ކަމަށް ވެސް ފުލުހުން ވަނީ ބުނެފަ އެވެ

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra , Member of Parliament for Male’ has stated that discussions among parties without the 2 main parties would useless. Ibra made th

1 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Human Rights Commission of Maldives HRCM has issued a Press Release condemning the detonation of an improvised explosion devise at Sultan Park on 29th of September. Commission calls the detonation an act of terrorism against humanity.

HRCM calls on the government to seek and arrest all involved in the detonation as quickly as possible and to punish them under the law. Commission also urges the government to implement necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Commission also condemns the recent violence in various parts Maldives and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a peaceful and harmonious environment. To live without fear is basic right of every Maldivian and nobody should do anything to violate that right.

HRCM also calls on concerned authorities to take actions to prevent such violence occurring in our communities which has created feelings of fear, distrust and has caused damages to property and has inflicted physical and physiological pain to many.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra , Member of Parliament for Male’ has stated that discussions among parties without the 2 main parties would useless. Ibra made th

1 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Human Rights Commission of Maldives HRCM has issued a Press Release condemning the detonation of an improvised explosion devise at Sultan Park on 29th of September. Commission calls the detonation an act of terrorism against humanity.

HRCM calls on the government to seek and arrest all involved in the detonation as quickly as possible and to punish them under the law. Commission also urges the government to implement necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Commission also condemns the recent violence in various parts Maldives and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a peaceful and harmonious environment. To live without fear is basic right of every Maldivian and nobody should do anything to violate that right.

HRCM also calls on concerned authorities to take actions to prevent such violence occurring in our communities which has created feelings of fear, distrust and has caused damages to property and has inflicted physical and physiological pain to many.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

Discussions without MDP would be useless – Ibra

1 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra , Member of Parliament for Male’ has stated that discussions among parties without the 2 main parties would useless. Ibra made the statement while speaking to Velidhoo Community.

The time for discussions among parties has passed he said. Maldivian Democratic Party and Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party are the key players in the process of Constitutional reform and the other parties cannot do anything in this regard he added.

Ibra says that he believes that the issue of continuing the reform work without hindrance can only be solved by the 2 main parties.

Miadhu contacted Riyaz Rasheed an independent Member of the Parliament, to obtain his views on the subject. He said if Maldivian Democratic Party is not participating in the discussions then their actual objective may not be achieved. “As MDP is openly critical, the government will only take heed of what MDP says and if they are not participating then it is better not to hold the discussions” Riyaz said.

Maria Ahmed, Member of Parliament for Kaafu Atoll and Chief Spokesperson for MDP states MDP and DRP enjoy a majority in the parliament and she does not believe that the Coordinator for all party discussion will be of any help in speeding the Constitutional reform process. Maria says that Constitution is being revised by the Special Majlis and that it’s almost completed. She further says the only person who stands to gain by delaying the reform process would be President Gayoom. She pointed out that 2 persons who resigned recently has also stated that President Gayoom gives priority to his personal interest rather than the best interests of the public and that President Gayoom is still acting in the same manner.

It is known to Velidhoo Community that the invitation of all party coordinator has been accepted by 3 parties. The only party who is not participating is MDP. According to MDP the reason for their boycott is that the Coordinator of all party discussions being an active member of DRP. MDP on a previous occasion has also declined the invitation of the Coordinator. All party coordinator invited all parties to submit names of persons attending the discussions on the 23rd of September 2007.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

Ten arrested over Maldives bomb

1 October 2007
Report: Soodh

The injured Britons were the most seriously hurt, local authorities said

Ten Maldives nationals and Two Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in connection with a bomb blast in the Capital islands of Maldives which left 12 tourists injured, local police said.

Two Britons, two Japanese and eight Chinese tourists were hurt by the bomb in a Sultan park in the capital Male'.

The injured British couple have been named as Christian Donelan, originally from Rotherham, and his wife Jennifer, whose maiden name is Green.

The Maldives Police Service said forensic tests were being carried out.

Mohamed Shareef, a government spokesman, said: "Police have arrested ten men based on forensic evidence and now they have been named suspects.

"Some of them were trying to flee the country and were apprehended at the airport."

He said that all the eight men arrested were Maldivian nationals and two were Bangladeshi nationals, and added that police were still searching for other suspects.

'Burns and cuts'

Local media said a mobile phone and washing machine motor attached to a gas cylinder triggered the bomb - reported to have been homemade.

This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives.

It is not yet clear who was behind the attack, or what the intended target was.

This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives

Mr and Mrs Donelan, aged 36 and 31, live in the Gulf state of Qatar and were thought to have been on their honeymoon after marrying in Italy two weeks ago.

Mr Donelan is a keen sportsman who has played hockey for Rotherham's main club, according to reports in the Sunday Telegraph.

He has had surgery to treat leg and arm burns.

Mrs Donelan suffered from more severe injuries, but both have been able to speak to friends and relatives by phone.

The newspaper quoted Mr Donelan's friend Tim Bulleyment as saying: "Christian sounded really rough but he said he was lucky to be alive."

It is thought they were staying on Baros - one of 87 designated tourist islands in the Maldives.

Mr Shareef confirmed 12 people had received burn injuries and said the victims were in a stable condition. He said the British nationals had suffered the most serious injuries.

Police officers have been investigating the bomb site

"The Maldives has never had something like this before. We are taking this very seriously because tourism is our life blood," he said.

Ahmed Afaal, managing director of the ADK Hospital in Male' where the two injured Britons are being treated, said: "The female has got first degree and second degree burns covering up to 40% of her body. And the male has got 27% burns."

A spokeswoman for Universal Resorts, which owns hotels complexes in the Maldives, said 10 of those injured, including the Britons, were staying with them.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

Recent Referendum reflects a fair public opinion - EU

30 September 2007
Report: Soodh

European Union, EU, yesterday issued a Declaration offering support to a process of democratic reform in the Maldives. The Declaration notes that the reform agenda promoted by the government since 2004 has produced a number of necessary steps towards a modern democracy with various challenges still to overcome. The Declaration further emphasizes the need to stay on track.

Commenting on the public referendum held on 18th August 2007 to determine the preferred system of government in Maldives, the Declaration notes the referendum offered a fair reflection of the public opinion.

The EU Declaration also calls on the government of Maldives to accelerate the implementation of the reform process and that preparations continue for the general elections planned in 2008. Declaration notes that elections should be free, fair and inclusive, so that people of the Maldives may have a chance to choose their leader for the future. In this respect the Declaration emphasizes the importance of completion of Constitutional reform by November 30 and urges all parties to actively work on this process.

EU declaration welcomed the role played by the Commonwealth Secretariat through its support to the democratic reform in Maldives.

The Declaration concludes by promising to follow developments in Maldives over the coming months.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

EU Declaration is an encouragement to reform process – FM

30 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Abdulla Shahid Foreign Minister welcomed the Declaration issued by European Union in his address to Commonwealth Foreign Ministers in New York. He called the Declaration a welcome support and an encouragement to all those working in the reform process.

Discussing the role of international bodies in assisting the reform agenda the Minister said, “Commonwealth and other international partners such as European Union continue to play a positive and welcome role in promoting democratic and human rights in Maldives”.

Commenting on the Declaration issued by the EU, Minister Shahid said, “I would like to make particular reference to a Declaration released by European Union which in addition to expressing support for Commonwealth initiatives in the Maldives, offers a positive assessment of progress in implementing the government’s reform agenda.”

Foreign Minister Shahid further stated that this Declaration by EU presidency represents a strong endorsement of the current political process in Maldives and provided significant encouragement to all those in Maldives who are determined to make the reform agenda a success.

Minister Shahid also thanked the European Union for its continued interest in Maldives and for its ongoing support.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

MDP attends Annual Conference of Conservative Party

30 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Dr.Munnawar President of Maldivian Party MDP and Mohamed Nasheed Chairperson of the same Party have traveled to United Kingdom yesterday. Their travel to UK is on the invitation of the Conservative Party to attend the Annual Conference of the Party.

The Annual Conference which commenced yesterday will be attended by the Party’s Leader David Caramon and the party’s Shadow Cabinet. The Conference will also be attended by party’s policy groups. The Annual Conference apart from hearing opinions of the policy group on various will also review the Party Policy.

MDP reveals that Dr. Munnawar and Nasheed will hold talks with high officials of the Conservative Party. MDP further reveals that this visit is part of the on going collaboration between both parties agreed upon February this year.

MDP further reveals that aim is this visit is two fold; one is to increase and strengthen relations between both parties, the other being to improve and formulate party policies and to study the practices employed by Conservative Party to present such policies to the public.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

Political Parties strongly condemns terror attack

30 September 2007
Report: Soodh

In a Press Release by Ministry of Information and Arts, the Government of Maldives has strongly condemned the detonation of an improvised explosive devise in the Sultan Park , as a malicious act aimed at undermining the peace and harmony that has always prevailed in the country. The Government has also expressed its support for the victims and their families and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The device went off at about 2.36 pm yesterday injuring 12 foreign nationals. The injured include 2 British nationals who sustained significant burns, while 8 Chinese and 2 Japanese suffered minor burns and injury inflicted flying shrapnel. All were immediately taken to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and ADK Hospital for treatment. All except the British nationals have now been discharged from the hospital.

Minister of Tourism Mahmoud Shaugy visited the victims in hospital to express support and concern of the Government of and the people of the Maldives.

Area near Sultan Park has been cordoned off by Maldives Police and Maldives National Defense Force which has launched a joint investigation into the incident. CCTV footage has also been released and the public has been urged to share any information that might help the investigation.

A key ministerial group has been instituted to discuss and take decisions and take decisions on the next step to be taken in relation to the incident.
Government of Maldives has always condemned acts of aggression and terror wherever they are perpetrated and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. As of yet no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identities of the perpetrators and the motives behind the act are not clear.

Last night President Gayoom in an interview said that the people responsible for this act must be found and Government with the grace of Almighty Allah we will find them and they will be punished under law.

President also wished the victims of the incident a speedy recovery. President Gayoom stated, “I must also point out that some people who for political reasons have been calling for the boycott of the Maldives on the tourism front. They have been calling on tour operators to boycott the Maldives. They also have to share some responsibility for what happened today because they have been jeopardizing the stability and peace of the country and our economic benefits for political gain”.

Meanwhile all political parties in the country have condemned this act of violence as an act of terrorism and have called for stern punishment for the perpetrators.

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, DRP, and Adhaalath Party has strongly condemned this act of aggression and described it as an act against humanity. Further both parties have called for stern punishment under the law for the perpetrators and have appealed to the general public to support and cooperate with government.

Maldives Democratic Party, MDP, last night issued a strongly worded Press Release calling the Government to prevent such acts of terror happening in Maldives. They also urged the Government to protect the general public, foreigners living in Maldives and tourists traveling to Maldives from such acts of terror.

Islamic Democratic Party also strongly condemned the act of terror and called on the government to punish the perpetrators under the law.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

Public should be consulted before the construction 5 star hotel- Ibra

30 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra, Member of Parliament for Male’ has said that government should consider public opinion before constructing a tourist hotel on the vacant land east of Dharubaaruge.

Speaking to Velidhoo Community, Ibra stated that as the people are living in congested houses with little or no breathing space, the government should ask the people first before utilizing such vacant land for constructing big hotels.

Ibra said that we should not do everything we want in the name of progress but we should also consider social issues that might occur because of such actions. According to Ibra a lot of residents of Male’ has expressed their concern to him and he in turn has discussed the issue with the relevant authorities and is looking for a solution to this issue.

There are other areas in Male’ other than the vacant land of east Dharubaaruge suitable for constructing a tourist hotel and when building such a hotel we should try and do it in the most beneficial manner says Ibra.
Ibra says by leasing empty land or by leasing islands whenever the government needs extra spending money may not be in the best interest of the people and that the decision should be left to the people whether to sacrifice their social issues in return to get some cash in the name of progress.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY