Ex- Pres Maumoon: Independence should not hinder rights

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said that the rights and independence gained once democracy is established should be equal for all citizens.

Speaking last night at the “Fashaanaa” awards of Sh. Milandhoo council, Maumoon said he wishes for the Maldives to always remain peaceful. And he hopes there will be no bloodshed and division between the people of Maldives, unlike some foreign countries.

“(I wish the Maldives) a happy and peaceful future. I say this because there is bloodshed and harsh punishments being seen due to one’s political stance in some countries,” he said.

As per his views, the reason for some countries to go down this destructive path is that they couldn’t respect one another’s rights.

“We should always have camaraderie among us. The bond of siblings. Respect for each other. Caring for each other,” The former President of 30 years said further.

He said that yelling whatever comes to mind at each other is not a basic part of democracy and that while free speech should be there it has to be in a way that doesn’t take away the other person’s rights.

“My independence should not be harmful to another person’s independence,” he said.

He urged everyone not to work for anything that might put the camaraderie and economic situation in danger.

He said that democracy builds itself on the people respecting one another and that any action which jeopardises the other’s reputation is an action that is not condoned by democracy.