Dhivehi Qaumee Party - Media Brief

Ref. No 006/PR/2010/DQP
Date: 13 May, 2010

The government Restrictions on the rights to freedom of information in Maldives

The aim of this brief is to inform about various restrictions the government of Maldives is putting on the right to freedom of information. The right to information is recognized as a fundamental right under the article 29 of the constitution of the Maldives. However, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed’s government is putting all its efforts to limit this right of the Maldivians. Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP), since its inception has advocated non violent reform and democracy in Maldives. As Mr. Armoogum Parsuramen, Director and UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka emphasized in his opening speech during a recent conference “Freedom of Information: The Right to Know has a special significance in a globalized digital world. FOI laws are an important instrument in creating transparency and thus helping to make governments accountable". He pointed out the obligation on government agencies to publish, and the rights for citizens to have access to information of general public interest as a crucial tool in the struggle to prevent corruption and to increase accountability.

DQP has been playing a vital role in making the current government more accountable. However, our work has been hindered by a lack of accessibility to information and co‐operation by Mr. Nasheed’s regime. We are highlighting some of the few incidents where the government officials have attempted to violate the right to information which is a key to free media in a democratic environment.

1. The government sent a letter of notification to the Haveeru News paper to vacate their premises within 10 days from 16th April 2009. Haveeru is the biggest and one of the oldest functional print news paper in Maldives.

2. On 18th February 2009 the government of Maldives decided to stop advertising and publishing government announcements private media

3. On 18th February the government stopped giving subsidies to private media companies.

4. Ordered DhiTV (one of the 2 private telecasting media) to stop broadcasting an opposition protest

5. The government sent police personnel to DhiTV station in Male’ to force them to stop their live telecast of opposition protest

6. Deducted 5 points from the DhiFM broadcasting license

7. Requesting MDP parliamentarians to boycott DhiTV by MDP parliamentary group leader Mr. Moosa Manik.

8. Expelling DhiTV crews from Mr. Mohamed Nasheed’s party gathering held in Hulhumale

9. Harassing and threatening opposition members who attending TVM program by MDP activists

10. Attempting to influence media council by proposing representatives from non active media who allies with Mr. Mohamed Nasheed

DQP as an opposition party as an advocator of non violent reform and democracy in Maldives on many instances have requested in writing to government ministries and entities to provide with necessary information. However, many government ministries have tried to limit provision of information. Hence, in one instance DQP was forced to file a case at civil court in against Ministry of Finance and Treasury to obtain information. The civil court of Maldives on 9th May 2010 made a ruling which requires Ministry of Finance and Treasury to provide the information that DQP has requested in 7 days. The current government used media freedom and right to information as a tool to come to power. Once they are in power it is a disappointment that an opposition party who tireless works to make the current government accountable has to file a case against the government regarding the right to information.

End.

For further information please contact:

Abdul Raheem Hassan(Mr.)

Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP)

Male’, Maldives

Tele: +960 3304548

Fax: +960 3343844

e‐mail: sitee@qaumee.org.mv

website: www.qaumee.org.mv