Rock Concert!!!

Zero Degree Atoll, Traphic Jam, Unborn and Trio are set to play at a concert called ‘Resurrection’ on this Thursday night (1st May) at 8pm at Carnival Stage.

The theme of the concert is:

‘Young people care about the community:
we say no to gang fights,
we say no to drugs,
and just want to have fun!’

A group of active young people have organised the event and they have decided to hold a one minute silence during the show to pay respect to the two young boys who died in the recent gang fights.

The concert will give young people an opportunity to enjoy themselves at an evening focussed on great musical entertainment!

Tickets are Mrf 35 and available from Barcode, Time Zone, Dolphin, Baywatch and Dupicate. Or you can just turn up and pay when you get there!

Please come along and join the fun!

Street violence in the Maldives – what’s the broader picture?

Did you know Male’ means blood bank in Divehi? This is a striking insight with consideration to the sudden rise in street violence over recent years.

However, apart from information the tragic deaths or type of injuries sustained by victims or the government response to send military out onto the streets, few seem to have considered the broader causes and issues.

Such causes, which may not be immediately apparent, include the housing crisis as lack of space in homes means young people are forced to roam the streets.

Lack of social dialogue is another possible cause. Difficulty in talking about personal issues (such as drugs or sexual relationships) among families may explain why feelings of anger, depression or loneliness often develop and these then manifest themselves in fights on the streets.

So, what do you think are the underlying causes of street violence? Do you think addressing the housing crisis in Male’ would make a difference? Is it true Maldivians rarely talk about sensitive issues? And, do you think a non-militant, non-confrontational approach with consideration to the broader picture would be the most effective to combat street violence in the Maldives?

Please post your thoughts, I look forward to seeing the dialogue develop…

Street violence - diversion tactic?

There is escalating fear among the Maldivian population as street violence in the capital city appears to have gone out of control. In response the government has decided to send out onto the streets men in uniform from the National Defense Force. Some claim these gangs are politically fuelled and this is a clever diversion tactic of the Maldivian government.

Whilst people fear for their families’ safety they are distracted from the crucial debates going on in Parliament. As decisions on the crucial transitional chapter are decided upon people are understandably thinking only about the personal security of themselves and their families amid the rising number of murders, attacks and street battles.

The current climate brings into question whether the forthcoming elections will be free, fair and violence-free. Furthermore, it calls for people to return attention to the Majilis, where decisions can be made so that a safer society can be ensured in the future.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Who is responsible for the violence on the streets in the Maldives? How are people feeling about their personal security in their homes and on the streets? And, what can be done to raise awareness about the importance of the decisions that are being made in Parliament, so that people understand that these decisions will make a difference to their future lives in the Maldives?

WIN FOR NGO’s: AMENDMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE ACT NOT ACCEPTED BY MPS

The work of NGOs to activate public concern has really made a difference. The proposed amendments to the Civil Service Act failed to go through in Parliament.

This is a time for celebration as this is a real triumph for civil society and shows the power of NGO action.

Do you have any comments to congratulate those who were involved in the campaign? What do you think should be the next campaign? And, how do you think more people should get involved in such crucial issues in future?

AGAINST PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE ACT

Many endorse that the Civil Service Act 2007 passed by the People's Majlis is a key milestone in moving forward to a 21st century liberal democracy in the Maldives. However, the recent amendments proposed by the Government on this act will mean a step backwards in the progression towards democracy.

If the amendments are passed a great number of key positions in the government will not be regarded as part of the Civil Service. Such excluded government employees would include: Vice President, Chief Justice, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majilis, all ministers and the attorney genera, atoll chiefs, judges, commissioner of elections and staff, assistants to ministers, ambassador’s to foreign countries and their deputies, island and atoll office staff, the Maldives Police Service, the Anti-corruption board, and more.

Overall, the amendments will mean government employees will not be granted full protection of their rights and instead, the government will maintain their power and influence.

An alliance of NGOs who are: Rights For All, Maldives Aid, the Society for Women against Drugs, Empowering Movement, Strength of Society, Maldivian Detainee Network and the Open Society Association strongly object to the amendments. Under a massive campaign we are putting pressure on MPs to reject the amendments.

A forum last night (30th March) which saw attendance of some 800 people highlighted public concern in the issue and support for the campaign. The decision will be made at the Majilis tomorrow morning (1st April); this will be a key test to see if the country will move backwards or forwards on that path towards democracy. Please show your support against the proposed amendments to the civil service act and post your thoughts and comments.

Why do young Maldivians turn to drugs?

Why do so many young Maldivians start taking drugs?

Many say that young people start taking drugs at a very early age because they are so prevalent and easy to access everywhere in the Maldives.

There is also lack of awareness on what will happen if you start taking drugs so many young people get into drugs without knowing what the horrors of being an addict are. This suggests that more emphasis must be placed on awareness campaigns through schools and among the community overall.

Boredom also seems to play a huge role in why young people turn to drugs. There is a lack of opportunities for where young people can express themselves and a lack of places for where they can occupy their time. It seems then that there is a real need for more sporting facilities, cinemas, clubs, music lessons etc across the country.

Why do you think young people turn to drugs in the Maldives? How can the number tempted to experiment be reduced? And, who should be responsible for confronting the issue to get a real reduction in drug use?

Photo: 'Losing Cultures' by Ibrahim Iujaz Hafiz.

Australian Human Rights Expert, Chris Sidoti visits Maldives

"My one major impression was just how much progress depends on the completion of the democratisation process through free and fair elections, constitutional reform and good lawmaking. The legal and political systems are in very rudimentary form and there are clear problems. That means that there is plenty of opportunity for progress without it being bogged down by having to deal with a highly embittered past. The question (and therefore the imminent challenge) will be whether the president is prepared to act as a real leader and preside over a process of genuine democratic and human rights reform or whether the whole process is all rhetoric without substance. Only time will tell."

Chris Sidoti's impressions following his human rights and civil society development speaker programme in the Maldives, February 2008.