This blog is named after the mass gathering that took place at the Republican Square on August 12th and 13th 2004. It was the first time in the country’s history that such a large number of people assembled in one place and demanded freedom.
For a few hours on that fateful day, it seemed as if the regime was about to collapse. However, that was not the case, and the security forces attacked the demonstrators and arrested them. A state of emergency was declared as Gayoom’s mafia government showed its vicious side.
During the rally, Maldivians were able to listen to opposition leaders as their speeches filled the air around the square. Ibrahim Ismail, Dr. Hussein Rasheed Hassan, Nashad Waheed, Zuhaira Umar, Ismail Asif, Gasim Ibrahim and Sandhaanu Ahmed Didi were among those who addressed the thousands who gathered. They are the real heroes of August 12/13.
Gayoom and his supporters portrayed the events as an illegal gathering. Reformists remember it as the moment when people were finally able to vent their frustrations and express their discontent with the dictatorship.
The amended constitution, the separation of powers, and the free elections that led to a new and democratic government- we owe all these things to the reform movement of which “Baara Theyra” was a landmark event.
The people of this country will remember and cherish this day for a long time to come.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
This aggression by the judiciary will not stand
The judiciary is at war with the people’s elected representatives. The Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed is suing Minister of State for Housing Aslam Shakir for defamation and claiming damages totalling Rf.52 million.
Aslam had merely reported on television what most of the country already knew through a press release issued by the president’s office and reported in newspapers. The press release detailed case after case of serious ethical violations while discharging his duties as a judge.
These were cases that were made by then Attorney General Hassan Saeed in 2005 during the Gayoom administration. No action was taken against him then.
Aslam stated on a television programme that Judge Abdulla was a “dangerous” man who had issues relating to children surrounding him. He did not state that the judge was a child abuser. Rather, he was referring to a case Hassan Saeed reported of how he made a child repeat what abuse he had gone through while in front of the very man who allegedly committed the crime.
How much more dangerous can a judge be?
The Presidency and Parliament has been cleansed of the remnants of the old regime following the elections held during over the past year.
However, it is the same old corrupt judges still dishing out justice in our courts. Their borderline criminal behaviour is proving to become increasingly intolerable.
Just look at the case where the criminal court has let loose individuals for carrying weapons on the streets of Male’ saying that there is no law that allows for them to be prosecuted! First of all this ruling is in dispute as gang leader Chika was earlier put away for the same offence by a Maldivian court.
But more than haggling over the letter of the law, surely the judges should be concerned about the safety of the people of this country.
Instead they continue to make a mockery of justice. The Rf.52 million against Aslam is a case in point.
Do these people have no shame?
The judiciary needs to be very clear of something. The people know that they form a corrupt cabal who are complicit in several crimes. They are up to their necks in it.
Corrupt judges cannot hope to continue intimidating the public. No one is above the law. Such petty, politically motivated lawsuits will not prevent, but will merely delay, the inevitable. The time will come when they will have to pay their dues.
Aslam had merely reported on television what most of the country already knew through a press release issued by the president’s office and reported in newspapers. The press release detailed case after case of serious ethical violations while discharging his duties as a judge.
These were cases that were made by then Attorney General Hassan Saeed in 2005 during the Gayoom administration. No action was taken against him then.
Aslam stated on a television programme that Judge Abdulla was a “dangerous” man who had issues relating to children surrounding him. He did not state that the judge was a child abuser. Rather, he was referring to a case Hassan Saeed reported of how he made a child repeat what abuse he had gone through while in front of the very man who allegedly committed the crime.
How much more dangerous can a judge be?
The Presidency and Parliament has been cleansed of the remnants of the old regime following the elections held during over the past year.
However, it is the same old corrupt judges still dishing out justice in our courts. Their borderline criminal behaviour is proving to become increasingly intolerable.
Just look at the case where the criminal court has let loose individuals for carrying weapons on the streets of Male’ saying that there is no law that allows for them to be prosecuted! First of all this ruling is in dispute as gang leader Chika was earlier put away for the same offence by a Maldivian court.
But more than haggling over the letter of the law, surely the judges should be concerned about the safety of the people of this country.
Instead they continue to make a mockery of justice. The Rf.52 million against Aslam is a case in point.
Do these people have no shame?
The judiciary needs to be very clear of something. The people know that they form a corrupt cabal who are complicit in several crimes. They are up to their necks in it.
Corrupt judges cannot hope to continue intimidating the public. No one is above the law. Such petty, politically motivated lawsuits will not prevent, but will merely delay, the inevitable. The time will come when they will have to pay their dues.
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