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:: MALDIVES |
Draft Constitution completed
MALE -- The draft Constitution was completed last Wednesday, the Chairman of the People\'s Special Majlis\' Drafting Committee revealed today.
Maldives Terrorist Attack Suspects Flee to Pakistan, Police Say
MALE -- Maldives police said 10 suspects in a bomb attack on international tourists in September fled to Pakistan and the Indian Ocean island nation is seeking Interpol's assistance to detain the fugitives.
Maldives seek Interpol help to arrest terror suspects
MALE -- Maldives is seeking Interpol's help to arrest 10 of its nationals, wanted in connection with a bomb blast in the capital Male, who have fled to Pakistan, police said.
"Constitution Complete By January"
MALE - When the Special Majlis was formed to agree an amended constitution for the Maldives, no-one thought it would be a walk in the park.
Maldives fears foreign terror cells as religious tensions rise
MALE- The Maldives has begun a crackdown on Islamic militant groups in an effort to prevent international terror networks from setting up cells here, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom told AFP.
Two foreigners among 11 arrested for Male blast
MALE -- Eleven suspects, including two foreigners, have been arrested in connection with Saturday's bomb explosion in the Maldivian capital city Male, which injured 12 people, a spokeswoman for the Maldivian government said Monday.
Maldives clears out 'extremist' mosque
The Maldives government has moved to tackle the rising threat of Islamist radicalism as 300 troops surrounded and then cleared an illegal mosque that had been accused of fomenting extremism on the paradise islands.
Maldives best for business in south Asia: World Bank
The Maldives has been rated the easiest country in South Asia to do business by the World Bank for the second successive year. It has the sixtieth best business environment in the world, the Bank's Doing Busines report found.
Maldives to open Honorary Consulate in Bangalore
Bangalore is fast becoming a favoured destination for Maldivians who depend on South Indian cities for medical and other emergencies.
Maldives Expenditure Unsustainable: Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has predicted a massive slowdown in growth for the Maldives economy in a major report published on Monday.
Maldives appoints new foreign minister
COLOMBO: Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Thursday named close aide Abdullah Shahid as his new foreign minister after the incumbent resigned over a row with lawmakers about reforms, his office said.
The President calls on the youth to engage in a gainful employment
The President today, called on every individual and especially the youth of the country to secure a gainful employment. The President made the statement in his speech at the inauguration of the “Kissaru 2007” Employment Fair.
Maldives to hold referendum on 18 August
Elections Commissioner K D Ahmed Maniku has announced today that the referendum to decide the system of government will be held on Saturday 18 August. The People's Special Majlis has passed a resolution on 18 June 2006 to hold a referendum to determine whether the country will have a presidential system or parliamentary system when the constitution is amended.
Unemployment & Opportunity
Unemployment in the Maldives is touchy subject. While some people berate the government for not doing enough to create jobs, there are others who are voluntarily unemployed. Then there's the case of the increasing number of expatriates in the country.
How serious are the MDP about Constitutional Reforms?
12th March 2007 The composition of the negotiating team of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for Track 1 (Amendment of the Constitution) of the ongoing bipartisan talks has raised concerns about the importance given to the process by the MDP. The MDP team contains several inexperienced individuals without the requisite know-how for the work they have been assigned by their party.
Doubt over SM members' competence
13th May 2007- Last Thursday's meeting of the Special Majlis (Constitutional Assembly) brought into focus the real problems the people of the Maldives face in getting an amended constitution. The problem lies in the lack of capacity in the Majlis and the incompetence of individual Special Majlis Members elected by the people of Maldives.
Party Growing Pains
With parliamentary elections scheduled for 2008, Maldivian political parties are taking the battle for votes to the the islands. But while they address local concerns like healthcare and sanitation, opposition parties also have one eye on the campaign for constitutional reform and regime change in Malé.
Gayoom Hails Another 'New Dawn', This Time For SAARC
Having announced the "vision" of a "new dawn" for his own country, culminating in the roadmap to democracy a year ago, President Gayoom has outlined another "vision" and another "new dawn" for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Maldives: Status: Not Free
According to American think-tank, Freedom House, the Maldives is "not free" and political rights and civil liberties remain minimal, despite a general trend of increasing freedom.
The Fundamental Rights of Citizens
Today - every politically active Maldivian seems to be hell-bent on completing the Constitution of the Republic. It had taken the Gayoom regime 17 years to write the existing Constitution. However, the Constitution does not provide for a specific remedy in case of breach of a constitutional right. This has given ample opportunities for the Government to be in breach of the Constitution and for the people to suffer as a consequence of this. No wonder every politically active Maldivian is dying to see the Constitution amended.
Maldivian president arrives
New Delhi, March 27: Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom arrived here Sunday on a six-day visit to India, his first since 2000.
Partyless Maldives elects new MPs
Male (Maldives), Jan 30: A total of 42 legislators were elected to the new Maldives parliament for a five-year term in a "partyless democracy" elections, a report in the Haveeru newsaper said.
India gives aid to Sri Lanka, Maldives
NEW DELHI: India Tuesday (Dec 28) said it would give over Rs.1 billion as assistance to tsunami-hit Sri Lanka and the Maldives, as it initiated steps to check the outbreak of epidemics in areas battered by Sunday's (Dec 26) tidal waves.
India sends naval vessels to Sri Lanka, Maldives
NEW DELHI: India has mobilised a large number of air force planes and over 20 naval vessels, including seven ships despatched with aid to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, for rescue and relief operations in the wake of Sunday's (Dec 26) killer tsunami.
Former minister among four charged with coup attempt in Maldives
COLOMBO: A former minister was among four people charged with attempting to overthrow Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the government said on Dec 7.
Maldives eases emergency
COLOMBO: The Indian Ocean state of the Maldives has eased some provisions of a state of emergency imposed after a pro-democracy uprising and allowed the International Red Cross access to political prisoners.
Maldivian dissidents welcome EU sanctions move, Gayoom denies torture
COLOMBO: Maldivian dissidents welcomed a proposal by European parliamentarians to impose sanctions on the Indian Ocean tourist paradise, where a state of emergency has been declared.
EU legislators seek to suspend aid to Maldives
COLOMBO: European Union parliamentarians have demanded a halt to non-essential aid to the Maldives and branded the South Asian tourist spot a "hell-hole" for locals since the declaration of emergency rule, a statement said.
Rights bodies want Maldives to release reformists
NEW DELHI: International human rights bodies are rallying to get released up to "several hundred" reformists detained in Maldives for anti-government protests.
Repeal emergency, European Union tells Maldives
COLOMBO: The European Union on Sept 7 urged the Maldivian Government to "immediately repeal the emergency," which was imposed on the atoll-nation's capital, Male, and neighbouring islands last month and "restore all fundamental rights" to the detainees.
ADB okays Rf154.2 million for atoll development programmes
MALE: The board of directors of the Asian Development Bank has approved a Rf154.2 million (US$12 million) project for atoll development in Maldives.
The Maldives in transition — I
MALE: After placid acceptance of a 25-year rule by their leader, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a prosperous, but politically restive Maldivian citizenry now wants a transition to full-fledged democracy. On the streets of its capital, Male, appreciation for Mr. Gayoom's economic transformation is matched by political weariness and apprehension of what lies ahead.
The Maldives in transition — II
MALE: Among the serious issues confronting the Maldives in its proposed move to democratic governance, the immediate ones relate to strengthening the basic institutions — the legal system and the administration of justice.
Commonwealth to assist Maldives in strengthening elections process
MALE: The Commonwealth has offered to assist Maldives to strengthen its elections process, Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed said on Sept 6.
Maldives ready for change, says Gayoom
MALE: Maldives' President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Asia's longest-serving head of state who last month imposed a state of emergency following public protests by pro-democracy dissidents and resorted to large-scale arrests of his political opponents, says he wants to replicate the economic miracle on the political front.
Maldives ambassador calls on Armitage, delivers Gayoom’s letter to Bush
MALE: The Maldivian Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Mohamed Latheef, has called on the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, Richard Armitage, to deliver a letter from Gayoom to US President George W. Bush. The meeting was held last Wednesday (Sept 1) in Washington.
Maldives political reforms cosmetic, says opposition
COLOMBO: The chief political opponent of Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Friday (Sept 3) accused Asia's longest serving ruler of continuing to stifle democracy despite his pledges of reform.
Abdul Hameed Zakariyya appointed as Foreign Secretary
MALE: Abdul Hameed Zakariyya has been appointed as the Foreign Secretary, the President’s Office announced on Wednesday (Sept 1).
Maldives to open High Commission in New Delhi
MALE: Maldives has decided to establish a High Commission in New Delhi and has informed this decision to the Indian government.
Maldives leader starts to ease stranglehold on power
COLOMBO: Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has given up key political portfolios he has held for the past 26 years and put civilians in charge of the police, his government said on Thursday (Sept 2), in steps towards long-promised democratic change.
Maldives seeks Albright's help to revamp politics
COLOMBO: The Maldives has asked a pro-democracy organisation headed by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to help revamp its political system, the government said on Saturday (August 21), just days after mass protests to demand faster democratic reform.
European diplomats ask to meet detained activists in Maldives
MALE: European nations have requested the Maldives authorities to give them access to activists detained after last week's pro-democracy demonstrations, diplomatic sources said.
Restive Maldives denounces plot to topple govt
MALE: The Maldives government accused five of its lawmakers on Wednesday (August 18) of plotting to overthrow it, a charge political opponents said was an excuse to weed out reformists and would delay promised democratic change.
Maldivian dissidents ask foreigners to boycott island paradise
MALE: Maldivian dissidents called for foreigners to boycott the tourism-dependent Indian Ocean archipelago whose capital is under emergency rule after pro-democracy rallies.
Restive Maldives eases curfew after rounding up dissidents
MALE: A curfew in the capital of the Maldives was eased but parliament sessions were put off indefinitely and emergency rule continued following last week's riots, officials and residents said.
Thousands protest for reform in Maldives capital
COLOMBO: Several thousand protesters demonstrated in the Maldives on Friday (August 13), demanding the release of political prisoners in an unprecedented show of dissent in the tiny island nation famed for its palm-fringed beach resorts.
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