Human rights crisis in the Maldives, says Amnesty

Security forces in the Maldives have stepped up attacks against peaceful demonstrators since the resignation of its first democratically elected president, according to Amnesty International

COLOMBO // Security forces in the Maldives have stepped up attacks against peaceful demonstrators since the resignation of its first democratically elected president, Amnesty International said today.

The crackdown included the detention, beating and sexual harassment of four women participating in an anti-government rally, other beatings, pepper-spraying and arrests, the London-based rights watchdog said.

Survivors told Amnesty that troops and police used unnecessary force and arbitrarily arrested and tortured them with impunity, according to a report entitled "The other side of paradise: a human rights crisis in the Maldives".

"The picture they paint is completely at odds with the tranquillity of the waters and scenic islands of this elegant archipelago," Amnesty said, referring to the atoll nation which is better known for its luxury tourism.

It said authorities had failed to honour pledges made earlier this year that human rights violations committed during and after the transfer of power would be addressed.

Mohammed Nasheed, who came to power following the country's first democratic elections in 2008, stepped down on February 7 at the height of public protests against his rule.

He later declared that a police mutiny and a military coup backed by Islamic extremists forced him out of office. He was replaced by his deputy, Mohammed Waheed.

A Commonwealth-initiated probe rejected Mr Nasheed's coup claims, but reiterated that police had used excessive force and urged that they be brought to justice, a call backed by Amnesty International.

"The fact remains that not a single criminal case has been filed before a court against any of the police officers for committing these human rights violations," AI noted.

It said security forces had become "increasingly politicised and unaccountable" for the violence they had been using against opposition protesters under the new administration.