Statement of the NDI Delegation to the Maldives
NDI Delegation Completes In-Country Assessment Mission of the
Opportunities and Challenges for
the Development of a Multi-Party System in the Maldives
NDI Delegation Completes In-Country Assessment Mission of the
Opportunities and Challenges for
the Development of a Multi-Party System in the Maldives
Located off the southwest coast of India in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is at a critical juncture in its political development. On June 9, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom gave a speech proposing a program of political reforms, including greater separation of powers and the development of a multi-party system in the Maldives. The public was invited by the president to comment on these reform proposals. A number of forums were held to discuss constitutional reform; in some cases, these gatherings were also used as a platform to criticize the current government. Demonstrations critical of the government occurred on August 12 and 13, resulting in the detention of a significant number of parliamentarians and opposition figures.
In this context, and based on interest from the Maldivian government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Democratic Institute (NDI) was asked to assess the opportunities and challenges for the development of a multi-party system in the Maldives. At the invitation of the government and with funding from the UNDP, the assessment was conducted from October 9 to 20. During the assessment, members of the delegation met with a broad spectrum of political actors in the Maldives, including government and opposition representatives, civil society activists and leaders of the business, legal and religious community. In addition to meetings in the capital of Male', members of the delegation traveled to northern and southern atolls. Members of the delegation also met with representatives of the international community and Maldivian opposition figures residing abroad.
The delegation found broad support for fundamental political change, as well as for many of the recommendations contained in the president's June 9 speech. Most Maldivians with whom the delegation met expressed their hope that the reforms will take place peacefully and expeditiously. However, the delegation also found a deep skepticism expressed by many individuals regarding the genuineness of the government's reform agenda, citing, for example, the recent detention of opposition figures. In order to build credibility in the process, the government will need to take concrete and prompt action with respect to the proposed reforms. In addition, the full range of political opinion must be engaged in the dialogue on reform. Over the next several weeks the delegation will compile the information it has gathered into a final assessment report that will be released and made public on NDI's website, www.ndi.org.
The delegation was headed by Dr. Zlatko Lagumdzija, the former Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Hercegovina. Dr. Lagumdzija currently serves as a Member of the Parliamentary Assembly House of Representatives and President of the Social Democratic Party in Bosnia and Hercegovina. The other three members of the delegation were Dr. Nour al-Farahat, K. Scott Hubli and Terry Hoverter. Dr. al-Farahat is a Professor of Law at Zagazig University in Cairo and the Co-coordinator of the Standing Legal Committee of the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR). K. Scott Hubli is the Director of Governance Programs for NDI and has participated in assessment and training missions in some 30 countries on issues of democratic development and parliamentary strengthening. Mr. Hoverter is a senior program officer with NDI's Asia team, focusing on initiatives in Nepal and Bangladesh, and a senior research assistant with the Public International Law & Policy Group.
NDI is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. Chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, NDI was established in 1983 and maintains offices in 55 countries. Calling on a global network of volunteer experts, NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. More information on NDI can be found at www.ndi.org.