8:49 PM
Editor
UA: 169/12 Index: ASA 29/003/2012 Maldives Date: 15 June 2012
URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER ATTACKED, INJURED
Human rights campaigner Ismail "Hilath" Rasheed was attacked in the
evening of 5 June by men who slashed his throat, near his house in the
capital, Malé. He survived but is at risk of further attacks and is in
need of effective protection.
Ismail Rasheed needed hours of emergency medical treatment in the
ADK hospital in Malé. Hospital sources have said the knife missed a
vital artery by millimetres. He is under close medical attention, and
unable to speak. No one has been brought to justice for this attack.
Religious groups opposed to Ismail
Rasheed’s long campaign for religious freedom are suspected of being
behind the attack. People linked to these groups hit him with stones in
December 2011, fracturing his skull, because he had arranged a rally to
call for religious tolerance. Although that attack took place in front
of onlookers and there is photographic evidence that can be used to
identify the attackers, no one has yet been brought to justice for that
attack. Since then, Ismail Rasheed has continued with his campaign,
mainly through his blog.
Under the 2008 Maldives constitution,
Islam is the only religion that Maldivian nationals can practise.
Religious groups interpret this to mean only Sunni Islam. Ismail Rasheed
has declared that he is a Sufi. He has been subjected to an online hate
campaign in the social media for advocating religious freedom in the
Maldives.
Please write immediately in English, Dhivehi or your own language:
urging the authorities to provide effective protection to Ismail "Hilath" Rasheed;
urging them to bring to justice the people who carried out the 5 June attack and those who attacked him in December 2011.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 27 JULY 2012 TO:
President
Mohamed Waheed
The President's Office
Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé 20113
Republic of Maldives
Fax: +960 332 5500
Salutation: Dear President Waheed
Minister of Home Affairs
Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed
Ministry of Home Affiars
10th Floor Velaanaage, Ameeru Ahmed Magu, Malé, Republic of Maldives
Fax: +960 334 2064
Email: info@homeaffairs.gov.mv
Salutation: Dear Minister
And copies to:
Chief Justice
Ahmed Faiz
Supreme Court
M. Theemuge
Orchid Magu
Malé 20208
Republic of Maldives
Fax: +960 300 8554
Email: info@supremecourt.gov.mv
** Fax machines may be switched off outside office hours (GMT+5) **
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER ATTACKED, INJURED
Additional Information
Freedom of religion is
restricted in the Maldives under a constitutional provision that states:
“a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives”. Religious
groups allied to some of the political parties have reacted strongly to
any attempt by Maldivian citizens to engage in a debate about this
constitutional provision. Ismail "Hilath" Rasheed has been one of few
Maldivians who have promoted this debate. It is widely believed that the
recent knife attack might have been a response to his campaign against
religious intolerance.
Ismail "Hilath"
Rasheed organized a “Silent Protest” rally in Malé with some 30
demonstrators on 10 December 2011, calling for religious tolerance in
the Maldives. A group of about 10 men attacked them. They threw stones,
injuring Ismail "Hilath" Rasheed. Police arrested him on 14 December,
saying that “calling for anything against the constitution is illegal”.
He was released without charge after a month. None of his attackers was
brought to justice.
Name: Ismail Rasheed
Gender m/f: m
UA: 169/12 Index: ASA 29/003/2012 Issue Date: 15 June 2012
Posted in: True Stories
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