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Maldives Human Rights
Human Rights Concerns
In 2008, Maldives held a free and fair election, ushering in a former AI Prisoner of Conscience, Mohammed Nasheed as president of the country. His term has been rocky since the opposition (of former President Gayoom) controls parliament. The result has been a series of stalemates and lots of indecision about legislation aimed at improving human rights in the country. That being said, human rights conditions in the country has improved and the government has been proactive in taking leadership on pushing human rights abroad.
But, human rights violations have occurred since President Nasheed took office. An opposition leader was arrested and there has been a risk of flogging for extramarital sex. Maldives is also a state that has the death penalty on its books, although it hasn't executed anyone for decades.
Maldives should impose a moratorium on the death penalty with a view to abolishing it. Similarly, the government should impose a moratorium on flogging as a punishment and abolish the practice.
Relevant Links
Maldives Newsroom
October 30, 2018 • Report
Maldives: The tortuous ordeal of a prisoner in paradise
A Sri Lankan driver who has languished in prison in the Maldives for three years accused of involvement in a dramatic plot to assassinate the island’s president has been denied a fair trial and subjected to vicious police beatings that may amount to torture, Amnesty International revealed in a new briefing released today. Prisoner in …
August 10, 2016 • Press Release
Maldives: New defamation bill another blow to free media
Responding to the Maldivian Parliament’s passage today of a new defamation bill, Champa Patel, Amnesty International’s Director, South Asia Regional Office and Senior Research Adviser, South East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, said: "The new defamation bill is another attack on free media by the Maldivian authorities. Defamation should never be criminalized – this …
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 18, 2016 • Press Release
Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
November 4, 2015 • Press Release
Maldives: State of emergency an alarming development in continuing crackdown on human rights
President Abdulla Yameen’s declaration of a 30 day state of emergency in the Maldives ahead of planned anti-government protests raises the prospect of further attacks on dissent and human rights in the country, said Amnesty International today.
October 1, 2015 • Press Release
Maldives rejects UN criticism of former President’s arbitrary political imprisonment
The Maldives government’s rejection of an as yet unpublished UN decision criticising the imprisonment of former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed underscores the insidious disregard for judicial independence in the country, said Amnesty International today. The organization is calling on the government to release him or give him a fair trial.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
May 21, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Maldives 2013
Republic of Maldives Head of state and government Mohamed Waheed (replaced Mohamed Nasheed) The controversial resignation of the President in early February was followed by months of protest and political repression across the archipelago. Security forces used excessive force – including truncheons and pepper-spraying people in the eyes – to suppress demonstrations that were largely …
January 8, 2013 • Press Release
Sexually Abused Girl Should Be Protected, Not Punished
The charges of “fornication” against a 15-year-old girl in Maldives, who there is strong reason to believe was raped by her stepfather, is outrageous, Amnesty International said.