PRESS RELEASE
AHRC-PL-79-2004

AHRC urges Maldives to free dissidents

(Hong Kong, October 13, 2004) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) urged the Maldivian authorities on Wednesday to immediately free Mohamed Yoosuf, a well-known dissident who has been reportedly tortured and held in solitary confinement for two months.

The Hong Kong-based AHRC also called for the release of other dissidents who have been detained since the government cracked down on massive pro-democracy protests in August.

Yoosuf, 55, popularly known as Fulhu, has been kept in the Dhoonidhoo Detention Facility since August 13.

He has no access to judicial remedies, lawyers or independent medical assessment and facilities, the AHRC said.  

"He has not even been told why he was arrested. But the reason seems to be politically motivated," said Kim Soo A, coordinator of the AHRC urgent appeal programme.

Yoosuf was among those who signed a petition to call for the establishment of a political party in the Maldives.

He was arrested on August 12 but was later released after his supporters staged a vigil demanding for his release.

Yet he was re-arrested the next day.

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ordered a state of emergency on August 13 after thousands of protesters took to the streets in Male, the capital.

The state of emergency was lifted on last Sunday.

"Although the government announced the loosening of some of the more stringent emergency regulations, there are many people like Mr. Yoosuf who are still being detained without proper access to courts and judicial process," Kim said.

"They are held in conditions which are contrary to the basic minimum standards required to be maintained in the case of detainees, and the rights of the political detainees have not been recognised at all," she said.  

The AHRC urged Yoosuf be released at once and that his arrest, detention and torture be investigated thoroughly.

"Action must be taken against the perpetrators," the rights group appealed.  

Other detainees in similar conditions should also be freed immediately, the group said.

Yoosuf reportedly told his family during a visit for only 30 minutes last month with the presence of police officers that he had been beaten.

"He was handcuffed for more than one week and blindfolded for two days," according to information received by the AHRC.

"He was hit on his back and had to eat, pray and use the toilet while being handcuffed and blindfolded. He also said some one would step on him if he tried to sleep," Kim said.

Yoosuf's family is gravely concerned about his mental and physical health. "The family has even requested that he be held under house arrest if needed as in the cases of some other detainees," Kim said.

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About AHRC The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.