Democracy in Peril

Celebrities back FOM Campaign for Democracy to be Restored

Read the open letter in The Guardian.

The first democratically elected government of the Maldives fell on 7 February 2012 after only three years in power. President Mohamed Nasheed, central to the 2008 popular uprising that toppled the thirty-year long dictatorship (1978-2008) of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, resigned live on national television. 'I sincerely believe that if this government is to remain in power, substantive force – which would harm many citizens – will become necessary,' he said. Within the hour, Nasheed's Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik was sworn in as the new president of the Maldives.

Compelling evidence has since emerged of a coup d'état, planned and executed by forces loyal to the thirty-year-long authoritarian regime of former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, deeply entrenched within the Maldivian political elite. Available video and audio footage suggests that key figures in the billion-dollar Maldivian tourism industry, and the increasingly influential Islamist movement, were heavily involved in the planning and execution of the coup. Together with a band of mutinying police and army officers, they held President Nasheed captive within the army HQ in Male' the capital until he agreed to 'resign without condition.'

On 8 February, following President Nasheed's disclosure of details that forced his resignation, supporters of the Maldivian democracy took to the streets of Male' in protest. The police crackdown that followed was the most brutal the country has seen since transition to democracy. Several men and women were injured, and scores were arbitrarily arrested. The police specifically targeted key members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), including Nasheed himself.

Since then, police brutality, along with other practices that blatantly violate democratic values and principles, have become the norm. In the hands of the new regime, the law has become a political weapon for suppressing dissent. With the help of a corrupt judiciary, the State is claiming ownership of all available public spaces, criminalising protesters as trespassers. Freedom of expression, which had enjoyed exponential growth with transition to democracy, is being scaled back as government propaganda takes over independent journalism. The government has hired American PR giant Ruder Finn, at US$150,000 a month, to whitewash the coup, and the ongoing authoritarian reversal.

Having assumed power as a Vice President succeeding a President who resigns, Dr Waheed is required by law to continue with the MDP manifesto until the next elections. Yet, all MDP members have been fired from the cabinet and replaced with members of Gayoom's Progressive Party of Maldives and pro-authoritarian technocrats, or family relations of Dr Waheed. Although he maintains that the new government is 'a continuation' of Nasheed's, popular MDP policies, such as free universal healthcare and taxing the rich, have been amended to benefit the few. Tourism industry regulations aimed at sharing its wealth more equally are being overwritten to accommodate the tourism industry oligarchs complicit in the elected government's overthrow. Islamists are increasing their control of the Maldivian belief system, with agreements being signed with foreign governments actively promoting Islamism across the globe. By the end of this year, the budget deficit is expected to be 27 percent of the GDP, a 175 percent increase to earlier forecasts. IMF predicts economic collapse and has urged austerity measures, yet the government has increased spending in many areas. The police and military have been given pay raises along with promotions, perks and bonuses. The judiciary, which three years of democracy could not free from the shackles of authoritarian control, has become more blatantly biased and regularly makes a mockery of the rule of law.

Not only has the government turned a blind eye to the incessant demands for an investigation into the events of 7 February by Maldivian democrats, it has also turned a deaf ear to similar calls from the international community. Although the Indian government, followed closely by the United States, were quick to recognise Dr Waheed's government - to the deep disappointment of Maldivian democracy supporters - international organisations such as the Commonwealth and the European Union have been steadfast in their demand for an independent inquiry followed by early elections.

The Maldives is more than just a fabulous tourist destination. It is home to over 300,000 people, all of whom have the right to govern themselves. If you love the Maldives, and if you believe in democratic governance, support the Maldivians fighting for democracy. Without the support of the global community, the Maldivian fight would not be just more difficult to win; it will be nigh on impossible.