Tyranny of the majority
We may replace one tyrant.
A far worse tyranny is the tyranny of the prevailing oppressive opinions and beliefs, of which those on the question of religious freedom are striking.
Until we have this indefeasible liberty, we cannot be a liberal democracy.
Reforms deforming?
One may question whether, despite all the hype about political reforms, we are not becoming a more intolerant and anti-liberal state?
For one thing, it is now more forcefully and formally recognized that no Maldivian citizen can be non-Muslim as a matter of the constitution which is being reformed. (The constitution is yet to be ratified.)
And this interference with individual liberty is being more vigorously upheld by the government in the wake of their acknowledgment of militant Islamism and Sharia. Their proposed solution is spreading 'moderate' Islam; i.e. Islamization to their liking.
Secondly, the society is becoming more puritan with a more exclusivist view on Islam thanks largely to the work of the Islamist political groups such as the Adaalat party that work so well because of ill-directed reforms.
Hypocrites?
Why are all self-claimed lovers of liberal values silent on the question of freedom of religion?
The MDP, the Open Society, the New Maldives: where is your press release, news conference, or letter in protest?
NGO's for liberal values/democracy: where are yours?
Until you at least raise your voice against the decision of the constitutional assembly to coerce individuals in their own self-regarding matter of religion, which also does not involve any perceptible harm, hurt, or insult to others, I can't be convinced you truly believe in liberal democracy...
We may replace one tyrant.
A far worse tyranny is the tyranny of the prevailing oppressive opinions and beliefs, of which those on the question of religious freedom are striking.
Until we have this indefeasible liberty, we cannot be a liberal democracy.
Reforms deforming?
One may question whether, despite all the hype about political reforms, we are not becoming a more intolerant and anti-liberal state?
For one thing, it is now more forcefully and formally recognized that no Maldivian citizen can be non-Muslim as a matter of the constitution which is being reformed. (The constitution is yet to be ratified.)
And this interference with individual liberty is being more vigorously upheld by the government in the wake of their acknowledgment of militant Islamism and Sharia. Their proposed solution is spreading 'moderate' Islam; i.e. Islamization to their liking.
Secondly, the society is becoming more puritan with a more exclusivist view on Islam thanks largely to the work of the Islamist political groups such as the Adaalat party that work so well because of ill-directed reforms.
Hypocrites?
Why are all self-claimed lovers of liberal values silent on the question of freedom of religion?
The MDP, the Open Society, the New Maldives: where is your press release, news conference, or letter in protest?
NGO's for liberal values/democracy: where are yours?
Until you at least raise your voice against the decision of the constitutional assembly to coerce individuals in their own self-regarding matter of religion, which also does not involve any perceptible harm, hurt, or insult to others, I can't be convinced you truly believe in liberal democracy...