Ahmed Shaheed
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Shaheed is a Maldivian politician
. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs
from November 2008 to December 2010; previously, he had served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for two years, from 14 July 2005 until August 20, 2007.
. Prior to being appointed Foreign Minister, Shaheed served as the first ever Chief Government Spokesperson of Maldives, a ministerial position within the President's Secretariat.
In July 2005, Shaheed used his position as Government Spokesperson to reject the condemnation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
by the Chief Justice of the Maldives. The Opposition MDP
accused him of being the chief "spin doctor" for President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
while independent human rights
NGOs such as Hama Jamiyya hail him as a champion of human rights.
He is one of the co-founders of New Maldives
, a group within the former regime who spearheaded the drive to make the Maldives a modern liberal democracy
. Shaheed is also the founder of the Open Society Association dedicated to the promotion of human rights, tolerance and democracy.
Although a very high profile sponsor of the DRP, he was defeated in his bid to win the Vice Presidency of the Party in April 2006.
Human Rights special mandates to visit Maldives and hosting of a UN Human Rights Advisor in Maldives. Shaheed's advocacy of an open society and strong anti-corruption measures were vehemently opposed by the President's brother, Abdullah Yameen and his supporters who mounted a series of motions of censure against Shaheed in parliament July–August 2007.
, which followed criticism of the Majlis by Shaheed, who said that it had failed the people. Shaheed said that "a conservative guard within the parliament and cabinet" was resisting reform.
His resignation followed his open criticism of the parliament for having failed to protect the fundamental rights of the people and for being a rubber stamp to sustain the 30-year old rule of President Gayoom. In his resignation statement he called on the President to step down voluntarily and expressed frustration over the slow pace of the reform programme.http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP80010.htm
, reappointed Shaheed as Foreign Minister in November 2008.
On 5 May 2009, the Washington-based think-tank, Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy conferred their annual Muslim Democrat of the Year Award to Shaheed. The citation for the award read that it was being given to Shaheed in recognition of his "role in building democracy and preserving it in the face of hardship, for promoting tolerance and harmony, and for opening a window into a century of reason, freedom, human rights and democracy in the Maldives and in South Asia."http://www.foreign.gov.mv/v3/?p=news&view=sep&nid=3079
In June 17, 2011 he was elected as Special Rapporteur
on the Human Rights Situation in Iran by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.
at the University of Queensland
, Australia. Shaheed is married with six children. One son from his first marriage, three daughters from his second marriage and two sons from his current marriage to Leela Ahmed, a naturalized Australian. His first two marriages ended in divorce.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign relations of the Maldives
Maldives follows a non-aligned policy and has expressed its commitment to maintaining friendly relations with all countries.The Maldives has lately become a very weak advocate of human rights, as one of the earliest supporters of the Barbaric Rights Council. For the past two years running, the...
from November 2008 to December 2010; previously, he had served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for two years, from 14 July 2005 until August 20, 2007.
Political career
Shaheed is a career diplomatDiplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
. Prior to being appointed Foreign Minister, Shaheed served as the first ever Chief Government Spokesperson of Maldives, a ministerial position within the President's Secretariat.
In July 2005, Shaheed used his position as Government Spokesperson to reject the condemnation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
by the Chief Justice of the Maldives. The Opposition MDP
Maldivian Democratic Party
The Maldivian Democratic Party is the ruling political party in power of the Maldives. It is a liberal party with its stated goal being the promotion of human rights and democracy in the Maldives. This party won the first ever multi-party elections in the Maldives...
accused him of being the chief "spin doctor" for President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. After serving as Minister of Transport, he was nominated as President by the Majlis of the Maldives and succeeded Ibrahim Nasir on November 11, 1978. He eventually became the longest-ruling head of government in Asia...
while independent human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
NGOs such as Hama Jamiyya hail him as a champion of human rights.
He is one of the co-founders of New Maldives
New Maldives
New Maldives began as a group of young ministers who supported the dictatorship of President Gayoom and claimed to be working to usher in liberal democracy to the Maldives. Its most public proponent is Ahmed Shaheed, supported by Hassan Saeed and Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, who were serving as Foreign...
, a group within the former regime who spearheaded the drive to make the Maldives a modern liberal democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
. Shaheed is also the founder of the Open Society Association dedicated to the promotion of human rights, tolerance and democracy.
Although a very high profile sponsor of the DRP, he was defeated in his bid to win the Vice Presidency of the Party in April 2006.
Human rights advocacy
Shaheed had come under strident criticism for his advocacy of international human rights norms, such as extending standing invitations to United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Human Rights special mandates to visit Maldives and hosting of a UN Human Rights Advisor in Maldives. Shaheed's advocacy of an open society and strong anti-corruption measures were vehemently opposed by the President's brother, Abdullah Yameen and his supporters who mounted a series of motions of censure against Shaheed in parliament July–August 2007.
Resignation
On August 21, 2007, Shaheed resigned as Foreign Minister ahead of a second due motion of no-confidence against him tabled in the MajlisMajlis of the Maldives
The Majlis of the Maldives or the People’s Majlis is the main legislature body of the Maldives. The Majlis has the authority to enact, amend and revise laws, except the constitution of the Maldives. Majlis is composed of 77 members...
, which followed criticism of the Majlis by Shaheed, who said that it had failed the people. Shaheed said that "a conservative guard within the parliament and cabinet" was resisting reform.
His resignation followed his open criticism of the parliament for having failed to protect the fundamental rights of the people and for being a rubber stamp to sustain the 30-year old rule of President Gayoom. In his resignation statement he called on the President to step down voluntarily and expressed frustration over the slow pace of the reform programme.http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP80010.htm
Re-appointment
After Gayoom was defeated in the October 2008 presidential election, his successor, Mohamed NasheedMohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician. He is the current President of the Maldives. He is the founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party and was its presidential candidate in the October 2008 presidential election, defeating long-time President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a second round of voting...
, reappointed Shaheed as Foreign Minister in November 2008.
On 5 May 2009, the Washington-based think-tank, Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy conferred their annual Muslim Democrat of the Year Award to Shaheed. The citation for the award read that it was being given to Shaheed in recognition of his "role in building democracy and preserving it in the face of hardship, for promoting tolerance and harmony, and for opening a window into a century of reason, freedom, human rights and democracy in the Maldives and in South Asia."http://www.foreign.gov.mv/v3/?p=news&view=sep&nid=3079
In June 17, 2011 he was elected as Special Rapporteur
Special Rapporteur
Special Rapporteur is a title given to individuals working on behalf of the United Nations within the scope of "Special Procedures" mechanisms who bear a specific mandate from the United Nations Human Rights Council....
on the Human Rights Situation in Iran by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.
Personal life
Shaheed was educated at the University of Aberystwyth, UK before he obtained his PhD in International RelationsInternational relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
, Australia. Shaheed is married with six children. One son from his first marriage, three daughters from his second marriage and two sons from his current marriage to Leela Ahmed, a naturalized Australian. His first two marriages ended in divorce.