English PEN´s Writer in Prison Committee supports more than 700 writers persecuted worldwide for exercising their right to freedom of expression. As part of their campaigning work, PEN has been highlighting an individual case each month since 2003, initiating appeals to heads of state and relevant government departments and providing vital background information about the country and the writers concerned. The PEN prisoner of the month for April is film-maker and democracy campaigner Jennifer Latheef. Latheef was charged with terrorism and with inciting a riot by the Maldives government and was subsequently jailed for 10 years on 12 September 2005.

By Index on Censorship´s Alexis Karlin, based on a PEN report.

Latheef was one of thousands of people who peacefully took to the streets in the capital Male in September 2003, protesting against the Maldives autocratic president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Gayoom has been in power for 25 years and has been accused by human rights campaigners of gross violations against human rights, including handing out life sentences to pro-democracy activists. Latheef is accused of throwing a stone at a policeman at the 2003 demonstration, but supporters of her case claim that there is no evidence that Latheef was involved in any violent activity that occurred on the day.

An outspoken critic of the current regime, Latheef has been imprisoned in the past for documenting a demonstration against the alleged murder of a prisoner by the National Security Service. Many of her supporters have voiced concern that her extreme sentence may be linked to the fact that she is the daughter of Mohamed Latheef, co-founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

Human rights organizations have expressed concern for Latheef’s treatment in prison, saying there is evidence of abuse. After repeated requests, her brother was allowed to visit her, and she reported that she had been kicked in the back while blindfolded. Mohamed Latheef told Associated Press: -They have sent my daughter to a jail which is notorious and full of criminals and drug addicts. This is the most infamous prison for torture.-