President reiterates commitment to make torture a practice of the past

President Mohamed Nasheed has reiterated commitment to make torture a practice of the past and to keep working at it until it is inscribed in the people’s hearts that they cannot tortured by the state.

The President reiterated his commitment to end torture, speaking at the function held at Nasandhura Palace Hotel this morning to launch “A Day in the Life of Ahmed Shafeeg” and “Shafeeg’s Short Stories (1)” written by Ahmed Shafeeq of Henveiru Shafeeguge. 

Ahmed Shafeeq is a prominent writer and a historian. He was held in solitary confinement from 21 April 1995 for 83 days without charge. About 50 diaries comprising notebooks of various sizes were confiscated by the then government at the time of his arrest.

Speaking at the function, President Nasheed said it was inconceivable for his administration to be in the government, if it was not able to inculcate principles in the people’s hearts, and the rules and regulations of the country to ensure protection of people from all forms of torture in the future.

In his remarks, the President noted that torture has been a traditional practice that was part of the history of the Maldives.

He said torture by the state had been a systematic practice based on a philosophy instilled in the psyche of the people and the previous governments of the country that torture and creating fear among people were necessary for the stability of the government.

Recalling the injustices suffered by Ahmed Shafeeq for his writings, the President said the real development of this country was development of the people and for the development of people they should have the freedom of expression.

The President said Ahmed Shafeeq was one of the most valuable treasures of this country.

The book launched today, “A Day in the Life of Ahmed Shafeeg” is based on a statement Ahmed Shafeeg wrote in September 2009, in support of his application to the Human Rights Commission of Maldives to investigate the events that led to his arrest and sufferings.

The second book, “Ahmed Shafeeg’s Short Stories (1)” relate to various periods and incidents in the history of Maldives and the concepts described in the narrative of Maldivian history are as politically relevant today as they were then. Political thought until today has been censored but the writer writes in the form of stories told. Ahmed Shafeeg is an unrivalled story-teller in this regard.