Namoona Dhoni heroes vows to continue their fight for democracy and justice

We all know the story of Namoonaa dhoni. The courageous souls aboard Namoonaa dhoni ensured that 10^th November would go down in Maldivian history as a testimony to the courage of Maldivians fighting for their rights and reform. More importantly, Namoonaa dhoni exposed state sponsored terrorism by Dictator Maumoon's regime in front of the whole world. One huge achievement for a small boatload of people!

Finally, 21 days has passed after Namoonaa dhoni was terrorized at sea and all its crew and passengers arrested by Coast Guard. Night before last was a hectic one in Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre as police tried to extend the detention period for all remaining Namoonaa dhoni detainees. Court was set up in Dhoonidhoo and one by one Namoonaa dhoni detainees went before the judges.

Out of the 32 remaining Namoonaa dhoni detainees, only 10 were released on 29^th November. 7 detainees were given bail and released on 30^th November. 15 detainees had 15 days added to their detention period and still remain incarcerated in Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre.

Detention period extended by 15 days -

1. Abbas Adil Riza, H. Nookurikeela, Male'

2. Abdullah Asraaru, Asraa Manzil, S. Hithadhoo

3. Abdullah Didi, Sun Beam, S. Feydhoo

4. Abdullah Saeedh, Dhandage, S. Hithadhoo

5. Ahmed Azmeel, Orchid Vadhee, S. Hithadhoo

6. Ahmed Didi, Good Luck, S. Maradhoo

7. Ahmed Mohamed, Gulhazaaruge, S. Hithadhoo

8. Ahmed Shujau, Andhaleebuge, S. Feydhoo

9. Ajwadh Mufeed, Warudheege, S. Hithadhoo

10. Ali Abdulla, Creamge, S. Hithadhoo

11. Hussain Riyaz, Vesnoogasdhoshuge, S. Maradhoo

12. Ibrahim Sabree, Bimbimaage, S. Hithadhoo

13. Ismail Saeed, Suwaasaage, S. Feydhoo

14. Mohamed Farooq, Reginaage, S. Maradhoo

15. Mohamed Zahid, Dhunfinige, S. Feydhoo

Released on bail 30^th November -

1. Abdullah Saeed, Bulbulge, S. Feydhoo

2. Ahmed Ibrahim, Asareege-aage, S. Hithadhoo

3. Ameen Faisal, H.Athiri Huraa, Male'

4. Asgar Abdhullah, Kuriboashi, S. Feydhoo

5. Mohamed Nashid, Unithoshige, S. Hithadhoo

6. Mohamed Waheed, Iramaage, S.Feydhoo

7. Shahurul Ameen, Vanillage, S. Maradhoo

Released 29^th November -

1. Ahmed Saeed, Sodaage, S. Hithadhoo

2. Ahmed Salih, Thrush, S. Hithadhoo

3. Hassan Didi, Kandoogasdhoshuge, S. Hithadhoo

4. Hassan Naeem, Asseyri, S. Hithadhoo

5. Hawwa Shaheeda, Hulhehi, S. Hithadhoo

6. Ibrahim Mohamed, Athamaage, S.Hithadhoo

7. Ibrahim Shaan, Orchide ge aage, S. Hithadhoo

8. Mohamed Mueez, Sun Reef, S. Hithadhoo

9. Mohamed Saeed (Dha'gadaa), Feeroazaage, S. Feydhoo

10. Qais Naseer, Sea View, S. Hithadhoo
    

Previously released -

1. Abdullah Haneef (Beach Villa, S.Maradhoo)

2. Abdullah Hassan (Kaanige, S.Maradhoo)

3. Abdullah Hussain (Seasonge, S.Maradhoo)

4. Abdullah Zubair (Eviarin, S. Hithadhoo)

5. Ahmed Ali (Raiymaage, S.Maradhoo)

6. Farooq Ahmed (Bashimaage, S. Maradhoo)

7. Hassan Rasheed (Riyasha Manzil, S. Maradhoo)

8. Hassan Waheed (Gulaabeege, S.Maradhoo)

9. Hussain Shihab - 16 years (Eviarin, S. Hithadhoo)

10. Hussein Mohamed (Cozy Corner, S. Hithadhoo)

11. Mariyam Zaki (Eviarin, S. Hithadhoo)

12. Rahma Abdulla -18 years (Keeranmaage, S.Feydhoo)

We have all of the bravery of Namoonaa dhoni detainees. It is a story that has captured the hearts and imagination of not only Maldivians, but also the rest of the world. Namoonaa dhoni, a simple fishing vessel, left Addu on the night of 6^th November. The destination was Male' and for many on board the dream was a new constitution. Namoonaa dhoni was seized at sea by Coast Guard vessels after 2 days of constant terrorizing, harassment and intimidation on rough seas. All 44 souls on board were extremely lucky to survive attempts by Coast Guard to flood and/or capsize the fishing vessel. These attempts led to the water, food and fuel on board the vessel being washed overboard.

All passengers aboard Namoonaa dhoni was taken into custody by Coast Guard on 8^th November and transported to Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre where they started a hunger strike. Despite constant denials by Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre and Maldives Police Service that no 10/11 detainees have been on hunger strike, every Namoonaa dhoni detainee released is shouting at the top of their voices that the authorities are lying. Every single released detainee reports that they were on hunger strike for varying periods of time, ranging from 2 to 12 days. They also tell the same story of their fellow Namoonaa detainees who are still behind bars.

Namoonaa dhoni detainees released also tell other horrifying stories. DO has already reported about Hawwa Shaheedha (Hulhehi, S. Hithadhoo), who could not sleep for days after being taken to Dhoonidhoo. She was given sleep inducing medication while on hunger strike, which just weakened her but did not have the desired effect of actually helping her to sleep. Tonight, another released detainee, Ahmed Solih (Thrush, S. Hithadhoo), told his painful story.

Ahmed Solih had fractured his collar bone earlier in the year and had undertaken traditional treatment. When his collar bone had not healed properly and his left arm had started to go numb, he had tried to obtain treatment in Addu but the only x-ray machine in the atoll had been broken for a long time and he had to come to Male'. He says that was why he was on Namoonaa dhoni. After he was arrested, he had constantly asked Dhoonidhoo authorities to get him medical treatment, starting with the x-rays he could not get in Addu. However, the only medication he was given were over-the-counter pain killers. All the time Ahmed Solih was in Dhoonidhoo, he could not even wear a T-shirt or look after his basic hygiene because his left hand had gone completely numb and he was in terrible pain. Finally, on 25^th November (2 weeks after his arrest) he was brought to Male' for x-rays. On the 27^th, when the x-rays confirmed what he has been saying all along, his shoulder was finally strapped and he was given proper medication. Unfortunately, Ahmed Solih was not given his medicines or medical records when he was released and thus, his treatment has been interrupted.

More worrying are reports being received about some of the detainees who are still in Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre. Abdullah Saeed (Dhandage, S. Hithadhoo) is reported to be extremely sick. It seems that he fell on the deck of Namoonaa dhoni when Coast Guard maneuvered their vessels near Namoonaa dhoni causing huge waves to wash aboard and almost capsize Namoonaa dhoni. Abdullah Saeed's back and right shin were hurt when he hit the deck and the engine room. It seems that some blood also came out of his throat, suggesting internal injuries. His lawyer reports that Abdullah Saeed felt nauseated during investigation one day and barely made it out of the investigation room before he started vomiting. His lawyer and investigating officers witnessed him vomiting up blood. Since Abdullah Saeed has a previous history of gastritis which could have been exacerbated by the hunger strike he was on for 4 days, his lawyer cannot be sure whether the blood in his vomit was caused by his illness or his injuries. However, his lawyer did raise this matter with the investigating officers and asked for proper medical care for Abdullah Saeed. According to his lawyer, Abdullah Saeed is very weak, his back is extremely painful and his shin is swollen up but that he is not receiving any medical care except pain killers and an ointment to apply on his back and shin. When Abdullah Saeed was taken before the judge to have his detention period extended, Abdullah Saeed's lawyer argued these facts before the judge repeatedly and requested that Abdllah Saeed be released. Nevertheless, his detention period was extended by 15 days. Similarly, Mohamed Zahid (Dhunfinige, S. Feydhoo) who is suffering from high blood pressure and was brought to Male' for medical investigations 28^th November, also had his detention period extended by 15 days.

This torture is ongoing despite the fact that Maldives Police Service has already submitted the cases of all Namoonaa dhoni detainees except one to the Attorney General's Office after completing their investigations.

No one expects compassion or mercy from the Dictator but this continued violation of fundamental rights of 10/11 detainees simply cannot go unchallenged. The right to health is a fundamental human right and we have people with broken bones and all kinds of serious illnesses incarcerated in inhumane conditions without any kind of adequate medical care. How long will they continue to suffer? I suppose the better question to ask is - how long will the world allow this to go one?