Maldives: Protesters charged while authorities fail to reinstate the registration of a civil society group

The state of civic space is rated as ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Over the last few years, there have been reports of harassment and threats to journalists, arbitrary arrests and excessive force against protesters, restrictions on protest and threats against human rights defenders, both offline and online, including women activists. The government has also failed to deal effectively with past crimes.

In November 2024, 11 civil society groups expressed grave concerns regarding the sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, which was brought with no debate or explanation, completely excluding citizens from the process and in violation of Article 4 of the Constitution. The groups say these concerns stem from a marked absence of transparency in the unprecedented amendment process, inadequate procedural safeguard mechanisms, and the potential erosion of fundamental democratic principles.

On 10th December 2024, International Human Rights Day, six civil society organisations issued a statement on human rights violations and the state of impunity in the Maldives. The groups raised concerns about human rights defenders including journalists in the Maldives that “continue to work in confined spaces due to threats of violence, persecution and attacks on their credibility which is rampant in the political discourse.”

They also highlighted that the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has been “disappointing” despite having the primary mandate to promote and protect human rights in the Maldives. It has been slow to respond and sometimes failed to respond to requests for urgent intervention and reports of violations communicated to them by civil society.

In recent months, the Maldives authorities charged two pro-Palestinian activists for holding peaceful protests outside embassies in the capital, while a protest by taxi drivers was met with arrests and the seizure of taxis. It has been five years since civil society group, the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) was arbitrarily de-registered and the authorities have failed to revoke this despite call for the UN. A proposed Media Commission Bill restricting press freedom was withdrawn after pressure from press freedom groups, while there have been calls to ensure a thorough consultation around any amendments to the freedom of information law.

Peaceful Assembly

Two Pro-Palestinian women protesters charged

In November 2024, the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) filed criminal charges against Aishath Shadhiya and Dr. Shazra Ibrahim (pictured above).

As previously documented, in August 2024, the two women were arrested for persistently protesting in support of Palestine in Maldives' capital Malé City. According to the police, they were arrested for repeatedly gathering and protesting near various embassies. Prior to their arrest, police had summoned Shazra and questioned her regarding the matter.

They were charged with obstructing the administration of law or other government functions, and disorderly conduct. They face six months in prison if convicted of the charges.

Previously, in October 2024, the High Court ruled that Aishath Shadhiya, who was arrested for protesting against Israel near embassies in Maldives, was wrongfully detained for three days.

The High Court ruled that Shadhiya was detained on the grounds that she posed a threat to public safety. However, the Criminal Court’s decision did not clearly establish how the decision was reached. The High Court also found it wrongful to detain Shadhiya, despite the evidence presented to support these allegations. As a result, the High Court quashed the Criminal Court's order to remand Shadhiya in custody for three days.

Police arrest protesting taxi drivers and seize taxis

In December 2024, police arrested individuals following a taxi drivers’ protest in Hulhumale’. They were accused of disrupting public transport, blocking roads and obstructing law enforcement.

According to reports, at least four people were arrested. At least two were remanded in custody for five days before being released after successfully appealing their remand at the High Court. The criteria for release included a travel ban and being prohibited from participating in protests.

The taxi drivers who took part in a peaceful demonstration on 12th December 2024 accused the administration of failing to properly address their concerns in the one year since it took office. The protest escalated when the drivers blocked the road leading to the Hulhumale’ Highway. The police dispersed the protest and towed 22 vehicles used by the drivers, without any warning.

The Drivers Association of Maldives (DAM) disputed the police’s claims, stating that the protest remained peaceful and did not involve blocking roads. According to the association, the traffic congestion was caused by police actions as drivers were attempting to leave the area. The DAM expressed concern over the towing of taxis, claiming that some of the seized vehicles were not involved in the protest. The association also criticised the lack of communication from the police regarding why some vehicles were towed.

Association

Five years since civil society group arbitrarily de-registered

December 2024, marked five years since the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) was arbitrarily de-registered and its funds seized by the government. The government took these actions following a politically motivated violent smear campaign that resulted in hundreds of death threats against MDN’s human rights defenders. To date, the police have not thoroughly investigated those who incited violence and hatred.

The Islamic Ministry then urged the Maldives Police Service to seek the death penalty against the four authors of the report in October 2019 without any criminal process establishing guilt. The Ministry had unilaterally presumed that MDN’s 2015 report was blasphemous.

In September 2020, MDN’s founder filed a case in the Civil Court, challenging the legality of the government’s actions. The Attorney General used the Islamic Ministry’s abrupt and baseless decision as evidence. In its 2023 ruling favouring the deregistration of MDN, the Civil Court failed to address the procedural irregularities which formed the basis of the claim. The case now awaits an appeal hearing at the High Court.

In July 2024, the UN Human Rights Committee concluded that the Maldives should reinstate the registration of MDN and return its funds without delay. This has yet to be implemented.

MDN, the longest-serving human rights organisation in the Maldives, was formed in August 2004 in response to the widespread arbitrary detention and torture of protestors resisting decades of authoritarianism in the country. The arbitrary deregistration came as a final attempt to silence MDN.

Expression

Proposed Media Commission Bill restricting press freedom withdrawn

In November 2024, the Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill, which places control over media in the hands of the government, was officially withdrawn following outrage from journalists and press freedom groups.

The bill, introduced to parliament by independent Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakaron on 13th November 2024, would abolish the existing Maldives Media Council (MMC) and Broadcasting Commission and create a new ‘Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission’, with the jurisdiction to levy fines, withhold media licences, and demand formal apologies from journalists and organisations.

Concerns have been raised by media organisations and press freedom groups at the proposed composition of the seven members of the commission, with four members appointed by the Maldivian president, and only three selected by the media. Both the commission’s president and vice president, who have complete power to run the body, will also be appointed by government.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) had expressed concern at the bill’s imposition on the media’s self-regulation, stating that the government’s failure to consult with the association undermines the principles of a free press and would lead to “undue government influence on freedom of media and journalists.”

MJA also added that past government influence has led to heavy fines for media workers and organisations and incited the closures of Maldivian media organisations. Concern has previously been raised by MJA and IFJ at government interference and overreach in the functioning of the independent MMC.

Civil society call for consultation on amendments to freedom of information law

Civil society groups have called on the authorities to ensure that any amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act must be undertaken after a thorough consultation.

The groups say that the 2014 RTI Act has in some cases proven instrumental in empowering communities, promoting citizen participation, and holding the government and public institutions accountable. At the same time, findings from various studies indicate low levels of compliance with proactive disclosure of information, and delays from institutions were found to be common. Multiple complaints have been made about the President's Office failing to respond to such requests.

Therefore, any proposed amendments to the RTI Act must be developed in consultation with civil society organisations, information officers, local councils, associations, media and the public at large. Amendments must also include the considerations of marginalised groups in society, such as women, people with disabilities, individuals in state custody and migrant workers.

The groups called on the Attorney General and the Office for Civil Rights to ensure that any amendment of the law is made to bring clarity in providing information, and to strengthen the implementation of RTI.