Feb 26, 2012
International Jurists' report on Maldives
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International Jurists' report on Maldives
Ahmed Thasmeen Ali
Ahmed Thasmeen Ali
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Honourable Ahmed Thasmeen Ali MP. File:Thasmeen1.jpg Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party Member Peoples Majlis Incumbent Assumed office 17 February 2010 Preceded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Minister of Atolls Development In office 2007–2008 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Preceded by Abdulla Hameed Succeeded by Waheed deen Minister of Home Affairs In office 14 July 2005 – 25 June 2007 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Preceded by Ismael Shafeeu Succeeded by Abdulla Kamaaludeen Personal details Born 30 September 1966 (age 45) Male' Political party Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, DRP Spouse(s) Visam Ali Children one Religion Muslim Website http://thasmeen.org/ http://drp.mv/
Ahmed Thasmeen Ali ތަސްމީން(born 1966), Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party DRP [1] is a Maldivian MP, philanthropist and a businessman. Thasmeen started his career as a civil servant and after venturing into politics he was elected to Peoples Majlis from Baa Atoll and later he served in Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s cabinet and was his running mate in the first multiparty election held in the Maldives in 2008. [2]
His first Cabinet portfolio was Minister of Atolls Development and later served as Minister of Home Affairs,(14 July 2005 – 25 June 2007). [3]
Currently he is Leader of the largest opposition political party, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party and Minority Leader in the Peoples Majlis Majlis of the Maldives.[4]
Contents
[hide]
1 Education, family early career
2 Political career
3 Police Capacity Building
4 Party to new heights
5 GMR Issue
6 Political Positions
7 References
[edit] Education, family early career
He holds a BA degree in Economics from University of Warwick in England and a Master's degree in Political Science of the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Thasmeen is married to Ms. Visam Ali MP for Raa. Maduvvaree legislative circle and the couple have a child. Thasmeen practices diving, snorkeling, sea sports and fishing in his free time. Besides native language Dhivehi he is fluent English and understands Arabic (having lived in Egypt for his Masters studies.) Ahmed Thasmeen Ali owns resorts and other businesses, including Reethi Beach Resort and Fonaddhoo Tuna Products. He is a philanthropist.
Mr. Thasmeen was active in student association activities in England and in Cairo, Egypt.[5]
He has been an MP for Baa atoll since the 1990s.
[edit] Political career
Thasmeen is active in politics since 1994 and was elected to Parliament for the first time in 1994. Since then he has been representing Baa Kendhoo Constituency. [6] In addition to that he has held various posts as a civil servant at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and later he served as Minister of Atolls Development and Minister of Home Affairs.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament from 1993 to 1998.
Deputy Leader of DRP, elected with the highest votes in the party's first congress.
Represented Maldives Parliament at various Commonwealth Parliamentary meetings.
In the October 2008 presidential election, he was the running mate [7] of the Aisa's longest serving President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
[edit] Police Capacity Building
Maldives Police Service was introduced as a separate civilian agency during Mr. Thasmeen’s tenure as Minister of Home Affairs. [8] He embarked on recruiting new police personnel and introduced Jail reform activities with the help from Western Australia Police to comply with international human rights norms. He started construction of a maximum security prison with a vision to improve the living condition for inmates.[9]
The first Police Training School, housed in Addu Atoll was opened under his patronage.
Many modern scientific methods of investigation in Maldives Police Service were introduced under his instruction, including establishing Forensic Labs and deployment of CCTV camera in strategic points in the capital of Male'. The Community Policing concept used in policing in the Maldives is introduced under his guidance.[10]
In a leaked cable titled PROSPECTS FOR REFORM DOMINATE DISCUSSIONS IN MALDIVES the followings were noted: “Home Affairs Minister Ahmed Thasmeen Ali join a cabinet that is growing younger and more dynamic as President Gayoom continues to make changes in an effort to prompt progress in the Special Majlis (parliament) that is considering constitutional reforms.
“Thasmeen Ali was keen to continue to develop the capacity of the national police force, which was split from the National Security Service (Maldives? military) late last year. He also outlined plans to develop a separate, well- trained prison service and to construct a new prison on Maahfushi Island, noting that the current prison there, in which prisoners are kept in large common areas rather than smaller cells, makes it almost impossible to control or remove individual prisoners. He noted that his ministry, as part of the GoRM decision to invite the ICRC in to look at prison conditions, will work from ICRC standards as it designs the new prison.” [11]
[edit] Party to new heights
During Thasmeen’s leadership he took DRP to a new height. Though DRP was defeated in the 2008 presidential election he managed to increase the party membership and made gains in the parliamentary election and local elections.
With Thasmeen at the helm DRP secured more seats in the parliament than Nasheed’s ruling MDP. This is a major victory to DRP, especially since this came during the honeymoon period of the new government. [12]
During the split of the party there was much criticism leveled to Mr. Thasmeen by Gayoom supporters accusing Thasmeen of the 2008 defeat. However, DRP issued a statement reflecting of the past success in elections under Thasmeen saying “we note with regret that the party was unable to win a single election under President Maumoon’s leadership when it was in the government.”
“One of the main reasons for DRP having to face one of its biggest defeats (2008 Presidential Election) and MDP coming to power and causing despair for most citizens was the fact that the whole presidential campaign was run by Gayoom’s eldest son Farish Maumoon as a family matter,” said DRP statement. [13] However, the gains DRP made in the parliamentary election[14] did not last long.[15] With the internal conflict [16] it took a toll on party in terms on numbers in the parliament [17] and Gayoom formed a new political party. [18] With the formation of PPM, DRP accused PPM of poaching members [19] and later in the parliament it paved way for President Nasheed’s MDP to gain majority on the floor. [20]
[edit] GMR Issue
With the internal strife going on in DRP the Deputy Leader of DRP Mr. Umar Naseer alleged that Thasmeen and Speaker of the Parliament met GMR, new operator of Maldives International Airport, and the company had bribed them. Speaking to Miadhu daily [21] Thasmeen said there is no reasonable motive for GMR to hold secret talks with him and the leasing of the airport came in a time when Peoples Majlis is tirelessly working on securing state assets. Replying to a question on what can be done Thasmeen said “The matter is in judicial phase. Then what else can be done? It is impossible to hold demonstrations in the airport and cause strife there. Should we destroy the tourism industry of this country?” [22][23]
The Anti-Corruption Commission investigated the matter and questioned Mr. Umar Naseer and Mr. Gayoom and issued a report saying the commission was not provided with any solid evidence to make these allegations. In his testimonies to ACC, the Honorary Leader of DRP, Gayyoom said that he was informed about the trip of Thasmeen and Shahid from the media and he got a SMS message stating the same. However, he said that he does not remember the sender. [24]
[edit] Political Positions
A month before President Nasheed’s resignation Thasmeen described Nasheed saying 'who claims to be the vanguard of democracy is becoming more and more despotic'.[25]
Thasmeen scolded President Nasheed’s government’s violent demonstrations and corrupt practices describing than ruling party as “drenched in corruption” [26]
Criticized the government of exerting political influence upon Maldives Police service and asked the officers not to obey the unlawful orders issued by the high command and not erode the aspirations of Maldives’ reformers. [27]
Thasmeen criticized Mohamed Nasheed’s government of transgressing upon the values of democracy and causing intimidation against state institutes. [28]
Thasmeen criticized the government’s failure in strengthening the economy and scaring foreign investors and eroding business confidence. [29]
In his Islamic New Year Statement Thasmeen said that President Nasheed’s government has promoted aniti-islamic ideology for the past three years. [30]
Thasmeen defeated a no confidence motion against President Nasheed which was initiated by 47 MPs in October 2011. [31]
Thasmeen criticized PPM of following a political system which follows personalities instead of democratic rule. [32]
Thasmeen criticized President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for going against DRP charter. [33][34]
After party in-fighting Thasmeen asked anti-party elements to resign from party if they act against party charter. [35]
Thasmeen called government to support for a Palestinian state. [36]
Raised concerns against Nasheed’s government’s fiscal and economic reform program. [37][38]
[edit] References
^ Maldives Today (30 September 2011). "Its party time in Maldives again!". Maldives Today. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ Thasmeen.org (2010). "About Thasmeen". Thasmeen.org. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
^ Ministry of Home Affairs (2010). "Previous heads of the ministry". Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
^ Peoples Majlis (2010). "Majority and Minority leaders (in Dhivehi)". Peoples Majlis. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
^ "Thasmeen aspires to be the President of Maldives". Dhivehi Observer. 2005-03-07. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
^ Eydhafushi Times (2009). "Parliamentary Elections 2009: Interim results for Baa atoll constituencies being announced". Eydhafushi Times. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Miadhu Daily (10 August 2008). "Gayoom campaign kicks off". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ Maldives Police Service (11 March 2008). "Graduation ceremony of 14th police recruit training course held at Police Training School Addu". Maldives Police Service. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ "Human rights training for Maldives police". Miadhu Daily. 8 November 2006.
^ "Minister of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Police meet UK Expert". Miadhu Daily. 3 June 2006.
^ US Embassy Colombo (21 October 2005). "PROSPECTS FOR REFORM DOMINATE DISCUSSIONS IN MALDIVES". WIKI LEAKS. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ Maldives Today (11 February 2011). "Maldives Today". Maldives Today. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ Ahmed Nasih (3 October 2011). "DRP condemns Gayoom’s remarks on losing ground to MDP". Minivan Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ IPU via Majlis (2009). "MALDIVES Majlis (People's Majlis)". IPU. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ Fathih Hussain (23 May 2011). "MDP winning Majlis". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ Maldives Today (7 April 2011). "DRP Internal conflict will be solved, assured Leader Thasmeen". Maldives Today. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ Poorna Rodrigo (4 July 2011). "News Analysis: Numbers game in Parliament". Asian Tribune. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ Neil Merrett (14 May 2011). "Gayoom expresses “disappointment” with Thasmeen’s DRP, upon his return". Minivan Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ JJ Robinson (22 February 2011). "DRP accuses PPM of using cash incentives and development funding to poach members". Minivan Daily. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
^ Ahmed Hamdoon (4 October 2011). "DRP MPs number drops to 17". Haveeru Daily. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
^ Abdul Latheef (22 April 2011). "No reasonable motive for GMR to hold secret talks with me- Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ Miadhu Daily (21 November 2010). "Thasmeen denies meeting GMR". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ haveeru Daily (20 November 2010). "Thasmeen, Shahid deny meeting GMR officials". Haveeru Daily. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ Staff Writer (25 June 2011). "I don’t know if Shahid and Thasmeen took bribes from GMR or not- Gayyoom". World Freedom Watch. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (25 January 2012). "Govt is becoming more and more despotic: Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (31 October 2011). "Govt does nothing but padlock every office that they do not have an influence upon- Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Maldives Today (30 October 2011). "Political influence in the top leadership of Maldives Police: Thasmeen". Maldives Today. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ Murshid Abdul Hakeem (1 November 2011). "Govt wants to hijack all the three states of power- Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (20 November 2011). "Foreign investors don’t trust current regime- Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Abdul Latheef (27 November 2011). "Anti-Islamic ideology promoted in the country for the last three years repeatedly – Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (14 October 2011). "Initiative of to take no-confidence vote against Nasheed was called off by Thasmeen- Mahloof". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (18 October 2011). "DRP didn’t adopt a system which follows personalities- Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (5 September 2011). "Thasmeen rebuts Gayoom in less than 3 hrs after Gayoom’s resignation". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (5 September 2011). "Gayoom resigns from DRP". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Abdul Latheef (8 September 2011). "More people will join DRP when those who oppose party charter resigns- Thasmeen". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Abdul Latheef (21 September 2011). "AP and DRP calls govt to give full cooperation to Palestine to establish a viable sovereign state". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Abdul Latheef (22 August 2011). "Nasheed Answers Concerns Voiced by DRP-Opposition on Govt’s Fiscal and Economic Reform Programme". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ Shaheeda Saeed (23 August 2011). "No opposition leader other than Thasmeen was brave enough to meet Nasheed- Shareef". Miadhu Daily. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
Development Heights in the last 30 years
Development Heights in the last 30 years
1. In 1978 the GDP per capita of the Maldives was USD 200 but today it is USD 3,000 - a 15-fold increase.
2. In 1978 there were only 4 government schools and 15,000 students. Today, there are 349 government schools and more than 86,000 students studying in the Maldives.
3. In 1978 there were only 65 university graduates in the country but today there are more than 3,000.
4. In 1985 there were 23 doctors and 74 nurses in the country, but now there are 550 doctors, 1,200 nurses, 600 medical personnel, and 800 community health workers.
5. The Infant Mortality Rate in 1978 was 120 per 1,000 live births, but today the number has been reduced to 10.
6. From 1978 till today, the Maternal Mortality Rate has been decreased from 6 to 1 per 1,000 live births.
7. Child Mortality Rate of children under 5 has been reduced to 18 per 1,000 live births from the previous figure of 180.
8. Life expectancy has been increased from 48 years in 1978 to 73 years in 2008.
9. In 1978 there only 7 doctors for all Maldivians totally but today there are 500 plus doctors
10. In 1978 there were only 7 doctors working in the country, but today the number exceeds 500.
11. From 1978 to 2008, the number of hospitals in the Maldives grew from 1 to 22.
12. The number of tourist arrivals in 1978 was 29,325 but today the figure stands greater than 675,000.
13. There were only 17 resorts and 1,300 beds in the Maldives in 1978. However, today there are 94 resorts and 22,000 beds.
14. The fish catch in 1978 was 25,800 tons but it has increased to 184,158 tons in 2006.
15. There were 413 mechanized fishing boats in 1977 but today the number exceeds 2000.
Mr. Ahmed Thasmeen Ali’s Victory at Last Night’s TVM Running Mate Debate Mirrors Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s Success at TVM’s Presidential Q&A
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Mr. Ahmed Thasmeen Ali’s Victory at Last Night’s TVM Running Mate Debate Mirrors Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s Success at TVM’s Presidential Q&A
MALE, Maldives — The Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) Presidential candidate’s running mate, Mr. Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, defeated his fellow Presidential running-mates at last night’s “Running Mate Debate” organized by the Ministry of Legal Reform, Information and Arts (MLRIA) under its “Think Nation Campaign” and aired live on Television Maldives (TVM), Voice of Maldives (VOM) and private broadcasters. Mr. Thasmeen Ali’s victory mirrors that of DRP Presidential candidate and incumbent President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s success at the “Presidential Q&A” show which was also organized by the MLRIA as part of the “Think Nation Campaign”.
Mr. Thasmeen Ali was questioned as were all other candidates about the prospective condition of the Maldivian people in the next 5 years if each running mates respective party were to win the election. He drew on his academic qualifications and experience in order to answer this question. He also quoted from the DRP manifesto.
DRP Shareef on Washington Post
Opposition misleading international media to sabotage economy, claims government
The opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has insisted the protests are ‘youth-led’ despite the apparent leadership of its MPs, and tried to replicate the ‘Arab Spring’ protests across the Middle East by branding President Nasheed as a despot to the international media and dubbing a busy Male’ intersection ‘Youth Square’. In the Washington Post piece, photos were published of 29 protests that have occurred around the world and were deemed to be among the biggest demonstrations and crackdowns of the decade – including the recent unrest in the Maldives. “Syria, Libya and other Middle Eastern regimes aren’t the only ones to use force against protesters. Here are some of the major crackdowns since 2000,” wrote the paper in a picture story on its website. The Maldives is listed at 28th, placed between the riots in Uganda last month over rising fuel costs – where protesters were shot at by police – and Egypt’s anti-government uprisings that ended the thirty year reign of President Hosni Mubarak in February. “In recent weeks, hundreds of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Maldives to demonstrate against soaring prices and demand the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed,” the article wrote, alongside a photograph of a local protester who appeared to have been knocked down by Maldivian police carrying batons. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/protests-and-crackdowns/2011/05/09/AFG1nKjG_gallery.html#photo=25
visam Ali
Visam Ali
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ms Visam Ali ވިސާމް (born 1974) is a Maldivian Member of Parliament elected from Raa Atoll. Maduvvaree legislative district for Majlis of the Maldives.[1] Prior to her political career she was a civil servant and headed the Department of Higher Education and Training, during President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's administration.[2]
[edit] Education
Ali is a certified professional accountant, by CPA Australia. She went to Murdoch University and graduated in Accounting and Public Administration and completed her MBA at the University of Adelaide.[citation needed]
[edit] Career
MP Visam Ali has advocated for children and women's rights.[3]
Advocated health care for thalassemia patients and submitted the Thalassemia control bill to the Peoples Majlis.[4]
Advocated for the rights of fishermen in her constituency and criticized President Mohamed Nasheed's policy on using police against innocent people.[5]
Worked to develop table tennis in the Maldives during her tenure as Secretary General of Table Tennis Association.[6][7]
Declined to receive the controversial Rf20,000 committee allowance for MPs by Peoples Majlis.[8]
[edit] References
^ Visam Ali
^ Changes made to Government posts
^ Parliament vows to tackle domestic violence
^ President Nasheed sends Thalassemia Bill back to parliament
^ Result of using police to carry dictatorial acts will not be good- Visam
^ Table tennis course continues in Maldives
^ Empowering Women to Benefit from Sport and Physical Education
^ MPs say declined committee allowance ‘in national interest
No point of holding an election for 1 and a 1/2 years presidential term: Thasmeen
“That (polls for one and a half years term) is definitely not realistic and my party (DRP) would not support it. The only way we will back an election is if the president gets a full five year term and that can only happen if the constitution is amended,”
MPs condemn UN rights chief's comments on flogging
"we take this opportunity to strongly condemn her statements. We condemned the statements, as requested by our Parliamentary Group, moments after she made her remarks,"