Government given a time limit to implement mass protest demands

A deadline of 5 January has been given for the government to implement the five demands made by the Civil Society Coalition and opposition parties at the mass protest on 23 December.

In a Press Conference held today by Civil Society Coalition and eight political parties at Nalahiya Hotel, they said that since the five demands proposed can easily be implemented within a short period of time, and since the government has been making excuses to not implement them, they have decided to set a clearly defined deadline.

Even though the actions that will be taken if the government fails to meet this deadline were not stated today, they said that discussions will be held after 5 January between Civil Society Coalition and political parties to decide on the actions to be taken.

While the government had not done anything to fulfill the five demands, an additional sixth demand was made today. The sixth demand is that the government should mock or cause unnecessary trouble to any participant of the protest.

President of Adhaalath Party Imran Abdulla said during today’s meeting that the demands made by the Civil Society Coalition are clearly defined, however, until today the government has been making excuses and if this continues, they will make the government pay for their actions.

“The proposed demands can be easily implemented. If these demands are not acted upon, we will not believe that this government will ever do anything that will benefit Maldivian citizens,” Imran said.

Deputy President of Civil Society Coalition Abdulla Mohamed said that if the government wishes to hold discussions on the five demands, he is willing to cooperate; however, he is not willing to discuss any issue for which penalties are clearly defined in Islam.

Council Member Sandhaanu Ahanmaidhy, who participated in today’s meeting on behalf of Gaumee Party, said that following the mass protest, MDP activists have been threatening members of opposition parties, and that he had faced such hostile behavior on the streets.

“No matter how much they threaten me, I will stand up for the nation,” Ahanmaidhy said.

Furthermore, President of Civil Society Coalition Abdullah also said that he had been subjected to threats.

“The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education has been threatening me. I will not let anything hold me back, even if I am dismissed from the government, I will continue with this,” Abdulla said.

Secretary General of Jumhooree (Republican) Party Fuad Gasim said that ever since the Leader of Jumhooree Party Gasim Ibrahim participated in the protests, the government has been trying to impede his business, and that these things are planned by MDP.

“MPD needs to show its leadership today, if it wants to be a strong party in the future. It is now time – MDP needs to be saved and they need capable people from within the party to do that,” Fuad said.

President of Civil Society Coalition Mohamed Didi said that the current government is not willing to discuss any issues with citizens, and that President Nasheed does not even want to give the opportunity for discussion.

“The President does not think that he is the leader of Maldivians. Well, he is the leader of Maldivians and there is no need to go to Colombo to hold discussions on these issues,” Didi said.

In today’s meeting, in addition to the Civil Society Coalition, DRP, PPM, Adhaalath Party, Jumhooree Party, Gaumee Party, MRM and leaders of Gaumee I’thihaad all called for the government repeatedly to stop making excuses and proceed with the implementation of the five demands made at the mass protest.

The five demands made at the protest by Civil Society Coalition and opposition parties, held at Tsunami Monument area, and lasted for eight hours were: removal of the SAARC monuments placed in Addu city; an apology by the President for the statements made by UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay against Islamic penalties; cancellation of the permit given to El Al Airline of Israel to fly to the Maldives; of cancellation the declaration that parts of inhabited islands shall now be uninhabited; and closure of the brothels which are operated in the name of massage parlors.