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Pro-democracy protests rock Maldives

The Maldives was calm yesterday, a day after police broke up an unprecedented protest rally, but activists said hopes President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom would make good on promises of democratic reforms had faded.

A state of emergency was declared indefinitely on Friday after paramilitary forces moved in on thousands of protesters who had gathered for hours in the capital, demanding change to the autocratic rule in the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago.

"In the immediate future, I don't think anything is possible. When the Maldives government cracks down, they crack down. I think any more demonstration is highly unlikely," said one resident who was involved in the protest and did not want to be named.

The government said 90 people were arrested and residents complained that police beat protesters to break up the rally.

The nation is one of the world's premier sun and sand tourist destinations, with luxury hotels and white sand beaches dotted across the archipelago.

Violence in the archipelago is rare, but a riot last year highlighted simmering discontent with the nearly three-decade rule of Gayoom, Asia's longest-serving leader.

In response to the riot and growing calls for reform from human rights groups, Gayoom announced a program of democratization in June that would allow political parties, strengthen parliament and give the judiciary more independence.

But a special assembly, or majlis, called to discuss the changes broke up shortly after it began last month. It was due to re-convene tomorrow but that was now on hold, with several of its members arrested in Friday's crackdown.

"He [Gayoom] promised this, but he conducted only half a session. So the people, the general public, they have no faith. And now this has happened with so many People's Majlis members arrested it is highly unlikely it will go as promised," the resident said.

He said demonstrators -- who gathered initially to call for the release of five reformists but then stayed on with wider demands for change -- were disappointed that Gayoom had not addressed the crowd.

"There was not even any message," he said.

A statement on the president's Web site said the state of emergency had been necessary after the protest turned violent.

"The mob comprised various unruly elements of society, and a considerably large number curious bystanders. The mob made various ad hoc demands, including the release of a number of criminals," it said.

Government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said paramilitaries were still in the capital but in small numbers, and that shops were open and people in the street.

He said due process would be applied to the 90 people he estimated were arrested on Friday in the nation of just 300,000.

But residents said police had beaten protesters, and activists who had not already been jailed were staying in their homes.
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