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Maldives questions in UK parliament 10 Mar 2004
The Government of Gayoom, must realise that the world will not abandon the pleas of the people of Maldives nor will the world stand and watch the heinous crimes committed by his government, which include torture and deaths of innocent Maldivians. The events of September 2003 are only the tip of the iceberg. It is common knowledge that many other inmates have died in suspicious circumstances whilst in jail or during interrogation by the National Security Service (NSS). Our brothers and sisters who died brutally at the hands of this evil dictator will never be forgotten. Gayoom is in power not because people support him or elected him, but because he has guns. It is the only way dictators remain in power, by sheer brutality. "Key characteristics of this tyranny are rampant nepotism, suppression of any form of political opposition, complete control of media and communication, arbitrary arrests, torture and death in custody, endemic corruption and misuse of public funds, no respect for the rule of law, adulation of himself, intimidation of the parliament reducing it to a rubberstamp body, ballot rigging and total mismanagement of public services." Listed below are the questions tabled by Rt. Hon. Robert Key (MP for Salisbury) and Rt. Hon. Bob Laxton (MP for Derby North). Questions from Robert Key (Salisbury) 131. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department last met members of the (i) government of the Maldives and (ii) Maldivian Democratic Party; and what was discussed. 132. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of respect for human rights in the Maldives. 133. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on relations between the EU and the Maldives. 134. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the current (a) bilateral treaties, (b) agreements and (c) protocols between the British Government and the government of the Maldives. 135. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the current Government advice is to British citizens in respect of (a) bilateral trade with and (b) tourism in the Maldives. 136. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many British citizens visited the Maldives in 2003 (a) on official business, (b) on commercial missions and (c) on holiday. 137. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received about the activities of the National Security Service of the Maldives; and what assessment he has made of these activities. 138. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on behalf of prisoners at Maafushi Island Prison in the Maldives. 216. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for asylum were received in 2003 from citizens of the Maldives; and how many were approved. Source: House of Commons Session 2003-04 Publications on the internet The Questions Book Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Monday 8 March 2004 Question from Bob Laxton (Derby North) 175. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the arrests of members of the Maldivian Democratic Party on 13th February by the Maldivian authorities; and on the extent to which human rights are protected in the Maldives. Source: House of Commons Session 2003-04 Publications on the internet The Questions Book Part 2: Oral or Written Questions for Answer beginning on Wednesday 10 Please visit the website of Rt. Hon. Robert Key, MP Salisbury / Conservative Party www.robertkey.com Please visit the website of Rt. Hon. Bob Laxton, MP Derby North / Labour Party www.boblaxton.org.uk |
Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldive cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
Contributions and comments - mc_editors@hotmail.com
