Maldives

Freedom of expression, especially on the Internet, is restricted by several laws. One passed in 1968 bans speeches and articles that are against Islam, harmful to national security or insulting. However, at least two privately-owned newspapers criticise the government. Mohamed Nasheed, an independent journalist and opposition member of parliament, was arrested on 8 October 2001 after posting several articles online. He had also signed a petition in February that year asking for permission to start an opposition party. After being held secretly for a month in the capital, Malé, he was sentenced at hasty trial to be banished for two and a half years to the remote island of Raa for alleged theft. The High Court confirmed the sentence on 13 March 2002 at a hearing without his lawyer present. It decided not to send him to prison but put him under house arrest in Malé and bar him from parliament. In January 2002, businessmen Mohamed Zaki, Ibrahim Luthfee and Ahmad Didi, along with Luthfee's assistant, Fathimath Nisreen, were arrested for distributing anti-government articles in their e-mailed newsletter Sandhaanu. The Divehi-language publication contained no call to violence, according to Amnesty International. They were held in secret for two weeks in Malé and then transferred to a detention centre on Dhoonodhoo island. In May, they were charged with defamation and allegedly trying to overthrow the government by what they published in Sandhaanu. They were refused the right to consult lawyers or receive family visits. In June, they were transferred to Mafushi island and put in small cells. On 7 July, the three businessmen were sentenced to life imprisonment. Nisreen, aged 21, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for allegedly expressing dissatisfaction with government policies and supporting the authors of the website articles. The authorities refused to allow appeals. During the trial, Luthfee (37) and Didi (50) admitted writing Sandhaanu and said Zaki (50), who lives in Malaysia, was in charge of e-mailing it to people who asked for it. Luthfee told the court he was ready to provide proof of all the things he accused President Gayoom of. They are still being held on Mafushi island in poor conditions among drug offenders and thieves. Their cells have little air and they have only five litres of water a day to drink and wash in. Their families are only allowed to visit them once a month. Links: Foreign-based news site The daily paper Haveeru Opposition human rights site Office of the presidency The country's only ISP