Amnesty terms arrest of Maldives former President 'selective justice'

06 March, 2013

Strongly condemning the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed, the international human rights organisation Amnesty International said it is an example of 'selective justice' from the Maldives authorities and highlights their failure to investigate other serious human rights abuses in the country.

Nasheed, who resigned as President in February 2012 under disputed circumstances, was arrested in the Maldivian capital Male and is accused of illegally ordering the arrest of a judge while in office. He is facing trial for “unlawfully arresting an innocent person” under Maldivian law.

Amnesty International’s Maldives Researcher Abbas Faiz said political leaders, including Nasheed, should be held to account. However, according to him, targeting of Nasheed is an example of selective justice.

He recalled that Amnesty International, and many others, have documented a wide range of human rights violations committed by security forces following Nasheed’s resignation. These include police violence against peaceful protesters and the deliberate targeting of Nasheed’s supporters.

According to Amnesty International, no one has yet been held to account for these abuses despite the huge amount of documentary evidence available. It demanded that the Maldivian authorities must carry out a full investigation into alleged abuses by anyone, and not just target political opponents.

Stating that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (1978-2008) has never been investigated or held to account for alleged abuses committed during his rule, Amnesty International demanded that all leaders should be held to account for alleged abuses and in fair trials.