Maldives Coup

10 February

Police & MNDF Violence Continues

While protests have subsided for the time being in Male’ and the Atolls, the MNDF, Police and PPM members have been rounding up MDP supporters in Addu and severely beating them. MDP protesters were singled out by opposition party supporters (DRP, PPM, DQP, AP, JP) and detained off shore in coast guard boats (since all police stations have been destroyed).  There have been numerous accounts of these detained MDP supporters – including elected government officials – being brutally assaulted prior to police arrest, as well as from nearby dhoni (ferry) passing by the coast guard ship.

At least 3 people have been hospitalized from these brutal attacks, while 94 have been arrested in Addu.

In response, PPM, Police and MNDF hijacked MDP leadership in route to Addu to intervene on behalf of MDP supporters; this included President Nasheed’s former Advisor, Ismail Ibrahim and lawyer. Additionally, 3 members of the Addu city council – MDP members – have been arrested.

Maldives Youth Voice

Our purpose is to provide a voice for Maldivian Youth, because the Media is under the illegitimate government control. We aim to catalyze the restoration of democracy and human rights protections by voicing the truth.  Keep a strong heart - hiyvvaru - in the face of injustice and oppression!

Vision: Non-violent protest is the most effective means of bringing change. In response to the usurpation of President Nasheed and the violent means with which this illegitimate government has used to oppress protests and freedom of speech, we wish to provide a platform for Maldivian youth to voice the truth.   

Responding to violence with violence would degrade the legitimate claims of MDP supporters against Waheed’s oppressive, dictatorial government. Therefore, this platform serves as a means to unite the Maldivian people as well as inspire those fighting the pressures faced in their own nations and fueled by corporate power and greed.

This is the voice of Maldivian Youth additionally, the coup that has occurred in the Maldives is a microcosm of what’s happening globally – autocratic suppression of peoples human rights brought about by corporate interests seeking power.  Activists worldwide should cooperatively engage and unite. The Occupy Movement in the U.S. especially must stand strong in the face of political corruption and oppression, brought about by democracy degenerating into oligarchy and widespread propaganda, or a full-fledged dictatorship will emerge.

Sources: While the facts in these reports have been verified by various sources nationwide, we cannot provide contact information for verification, in order to protect the protesters identities. Furthermore, we cannot reveal our identities for fear of arrest and violence by the Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defense Force, and Waheed’s government supporters.   

Maldives Coup

8 February 2012

From calm to chaos

Tuesday’s shock and disbelief among MDP supporters has been replaced by action.  It was the calm before the storm. Maldivian citizens gathered in force for the MDP press conference attended by leading MDP members of parliament, activists, and supporters. The atmosphere was supercharged with hope and outrage; rallying cries abounded for the restoration of democracy, rule of law, and President Nasheed.

Following the MDP press conference held at Dharubaaruge (the convention center), hundreds of supporters marched first to the MDP gathering area destroyed Tuesday by police and military forces, and then were joined by between 8 and 15 thousand MDP protesters near Republic Square. The MDP protestors endured brutal and excessive violence by the MNDF and police. Footage from Haveeru News, SunFM, and Rajje TV showed the energized but non-violent crowd being bombarded with tear gas and pepper spray, followed by the MNDF charging the crowd and assaulting protestors with batons.

Maldives Coup

 7 February 2012

Opposition protests culminated in a coup in the Republic of Maldives, forcing Mohammed Nasheed to resign his Presidency. 

The Maldives Police Services attacked leading Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activists as well as the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Headquarters with tear gas in the early morning hours on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, quelling any MNDF and MDP opposition to the Police driven coup as well as MNDF protections for protesters.

Senior police commanders ordered junior officers to support the coup and provided compensation for doing so. They were compelled to comply with the threat of force and unlawful detention, although one junior officer reported being bribed with 3 Red Bull and 1 chocolate bar.

Police, MNDF, and opposition supporters from the Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP), Progressive Party Maldives (PPM), Dhivehi Quamee Party (DQP), Jumhooree Party, and Adhaalath Party then filled Republic Square demanding the resignation of President Mohammed Nasheed by 13:30. President Nasheed was forcibly “escorted” by an MNDF officer to announce his resignation approximately an hour before this deadline.  Police also supplied gave riot protection gear and vehicles to the opposition protestors.