Summary of stories from MinivanNews, November  26, 2011

Protestors gathered outside the United Nations building in the Maldives’ capital Male’ on Friday to condemn UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay for criticising its constitution which endorses flogging.

During a press conference on Thursday evening, Pillay had called for the country’s government and the judiciary to issue a moratorium on flogging.

“Flogging is a form of punishment that is cruel and demeaning to women,” she said.

“I have as High Commissioner travelled to very many Islamic countries, and apart from the Maldives and one other country that practices stoning, flogging is not a practice that is condoned.”

“The issue needs to be examined, and therefore I called for a countrywide discussion. It is much better if the issue is transparent and debated.”

Pillay said she had raised this matter with President Mohamed Nasheed and the judges during her visit, “and they are all looking into this matter.

“The President is sympathetic because each time he travels outside the Maldives the issue is raised with him. He says he can only look at it on a case by case basis, but if there is a judicial decision, that may apply to all cases.”

The protestors carried signboards with angry slogans, including “Islam is not a toy”, “Ban UN” and “Flog Pillay”, and called on the authorities to arrest the UN High Commissioner.