This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/04/maldives-declares-state-of-emergency

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Maldives declares state of emergency Maldives declares state of emergency
(about 1 hour later)
The president of the Maldives has declared a state of emergency on the luxury tourist destination, citing a threat to the safety of citizens and to national security. The president of the Maldives has declared a state of emergency, citing a threat to the safety of citizens and to national security.
The decree, which came into effect at noon local time (7am GMT), suspends all basic rights and gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest suspects ahead of a major anti-government protest rally planned later this week. The decree, which came into effect at noon local time (0700 GMT), suspends all basic rights and gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest suspects ahead of a major anti-government protest rally planned later this week.
The protest has been organised by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), whose leader Mohamed Nasheed is in jail following his conviction earlier this year under anti-terror laws. The protest has been organised by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic party (MDP), whose leader Mohamed Nasheed is in jail following his conviction earlier this year under anti-terror laws.
The Maldives has been hit by acute political instability for several years, though a new cycle of chaos and unrest appears to be intensifying.The Maldives has been hit by acute political instability for several years, though a new cycle of chaos and unrest appears to be intensifying.
“President [Abdulla] Yameen has declared [a] state of emergency to ensure the safety and security of every citizen,” his spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted.“President [Abdulla] Yameen has declared [a] state of emergency to ensure the safety and security of every citizen,” his spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted.
In a statement to the nation, the president, who took power in a contested election in 2013, claimed “some groups are planning to use ... dangerous weapons and explosives”. In a statement to the nation, the president, who took power in a contested election in 2013, claimed “some groups are planning to use … dangerous weapons and explosives”.
“My beloved citizens, I assure you, that in enforcing this decree, the rights and freedoms stated in the constitution will only be restricted within the limits of ... the constitution, and only to the extent strictly required by the situation,” Yameen, 56, said. Related: Former Maldives president detained under anti-terror law
“My beloved citizens, I assure you, that in enforcing this decree, the rights and freedoms stated in the constitution will only be restricted within the limits of … the constitution, and only to the extent strictly required by the situation,” Yameen, 56, said.
Seven articles of the constitution have been suspended by the measure, including those guaranteeing citizens of the Indian Ocean island nation the rights of assembly, free expression, freedom from arbitrary detention and freedom of movement.Seven articles of the constitution have been suspended by the measure, including those guaranteeing citizens of the Indian Ocean island nation the rights of assembly, free expression, freedom from arbitrary detention and freedom of movement.
The state of emergency is limited to a duration of 30 days.The state of emergency is limited to a duration of 30 days.
The move comes at a time of heightened tensions following an explosion aboard President Yameen’s speed boat on 28 September that wounded his wife and two others. The move comes at a time of heightened tensions following an explosion on Yameen’s speedboat on 28 September that wounded his wife and two others.
Yameen was unharmed in the blast, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has said there is no evidence it was caused by a bomb. Yameen was unharmed in the blast, and the FBI has said there is no evidence it was caused by a bomb.
But the authorities say it was an attempt on his life. Yameen arrested his deputy Ahmed Adeeb on 24 October after accusing him of “high treason” and linking him to the boat blast.But the authorities say it was an attempt on his life. Yameen arrested his deputy Ahmed Adeeb on 24 October after accusing him of “high treason” and linking him to the boat blast.
This week the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) said it had found a remote-controlled bomb near the president’s official residence and safely defused it. This week the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said it had found a remote-controlled bomb near the president’s official residence and safely defused it.
Local media reported a statement by the nation’s attorney general, Mohamed Anil, explaining the state of emergency was due to “the current threat of weapons and explosives in the hands of civilians”. Local media reported a statement by the attorney general, Mohamed Anil, explaining the state of emergency was due to “the current threat of weapons and explosives in the hands of civilians”.
It was unclear which civilians Anil was referring to.It was unclear which civilians Anil was referring to.
The MDP rally is aimed at pressuring Yameen to release Nasheed, the first democratically elected leader of the country and an internationally-recognised climate change campaigner. The MDP rally was aimed at pressuring Yameen to release Nasheed, the first democratically elected leader of the country and an internationally-recognised climate change campaigner.
Nasheed left power in 2012 amid protests, forced out by what his supporters claim was a coup.Nasheed left power in 2012 amid protests, forced out by what his supporters claim was a coup.
The continuing political instability in the Maldives is likely to damage its vital tourist trade, a key employer and earner of foreign exchange.The continuing political instability in the Maldives is likely to damage its vital tourist trade, a key employer and earner of foreign exchange.
Every year more than one million tourists visit the Maldives, an almost exclusively Sunni Muslim nation and composed of 1,192 small coral islands, with a population of 340,000. Every year more than 1 million tourists visit the Maldives, an almost exclusively Sunni Muslim nation composed of 1,192 small coral islands, with a population of 340,000.
White sandy beaches, turquoise waters, shallow lagoons and secluded islets draw holidaymakers from all over the developed world as well as celebrities seeking privacy.White sandy beaches, turquoise waters, shallow lagoons and secluded islets draw holidaymakers from all over the developed world as well as celebrities seeking privacy.
The Maldives’ economy has faltered in recent years and the country suffers from overcrowding, high unemployment rates and substance abuse.The Maldives’ economy has faltered in recent years and the country suffers from overcrowding, high unemployment rates and substance abuse.
The declaration of a state of emergency comes amid a bitter power struggle between the president and his deputy Ahmed Adeeb, with factions within the police and army supporting different political players. The declaration of a state of emergency comes amid a bitter power struggle between the president and his deputy Adeeb, with factions within the police and army supporting different political players.
The dispute has weakened the government at a time of growing popular anger at the continuing detention of Nasheed and economic problems.The dispute has weakened the government at a time of growing popular anger at the continuing detention of Nasheed and economic problems.
Related: Former Maldives president detained under anti-terror law
In an interview with the Guardian in February, Nasheed called on the international community to consider introducing sanctions against the current government.In an interview with the Guardian in February, Nasheed called on the international community to consider introducing sanctions against the current government.
Nasheed, 48, also appealed to tourists travelling to the Maldives to reconsider their views on the popular holiday destination.Nasheed, 48, also appealed to tourists travelling to the Maldives to reconsider their views on the popular holiday destination.
“It is good and necessary to have a relaxing holiday but important [they]understand what is happening here too,” he said. Related: In the Maldives, our democracy is being suffocated. We need help | Mohamed Nasheed
The incarceration of Nasheed, who was convicted of charges of using the military to arrest a senior judge when in office, has been severely criticised by the UN and international rights groups. “It is good and necessary to have a relaxing holiday but important [they] understand what is happening here too,” he said.
There are growing fears of Islamic extremism in the Maldives, fuelled in part by the political instability since the departure from power of autocratic ruler Abdul Mamoun Gayoom in 2008. The incarceration of Nasheed, who was convicted on charges of using the military to arrest a senior judge when in office, has been severely criticised by the UN and international rights groups.
The Australian government last week told its citizens to exercise a “high degree of caution” while travelling to the capital island “due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attacks”. There are growing fears of Islamic extremism in the Maldives, fuelled in part by the political instability since the departure from power of autocratic ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2008.
The Australian government last week told its citizens to exercise a “high degree of caution” while travelling to the capital, Malé, “due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attacks”.