Human rights in the Maldives

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Human rights in the Maldives, an archipelagic nation of 417,000 people off the coast of the Indian Subcontinent, [1] is a contentious issue. In its 2011 Freedom in the World report, Freedom House declared the Maldives "Partly Free", claiming a reform process which had made headway in 2009 and 2010 had stalled. [2] The United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor claims in their 2012 report on human rights practices in the country that the most significant problems are corruption, lack of religious freedom, and abuse and unequal treatment of women. [3]

The Maldives has a longstanding practice of employing criminal defamation laws as a means to suppress dissent. However, following the implementation of the Anti-Defamation and Freedom of Expression Act in August 2016, the threats posed to the media and opposition critics escalated further. The act imposes significant fines for content or speech that is deemed to contradict Islamic tenets, jeopardize national security, challenge social norms, or infringe upon the rights, reputation, or good name of others during Yameen Rasheed's tenure. [4] The act was repealed by the Parliament on 14 November 2018. [5]

President Yameen's government has employed an alarming tactic of leveraging broad and ambiguously worded laws to target, apprehend, and incarcerate dissenting voices. This strategy involves the misuse of counterterrorism laws against opposition activists and politicians, as well as the application of anti-defamation laws to suppress the media and social media activists who voice criticism against the president or his policies. Moreover, the government has imposed stringent limitations on assemblies, resulting in the prohibition or severe restriction of peaceful rallies and protests. These actions have raised concerns about the state of freedom of expression and civil liberties in the country. [4]

History and political situation

The Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. The nation began its independent existence as a sultanate, but a 1968 referendum approved a constitution establishing the nation as a republic. Ibrahim Nasir, Prime Minister under the sultanate, became President and held office from 1968 to 1978. He was succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was elected President in 1978 and re-elected in 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003. At the end of his presidency in 2008, he was the longest serving leader in Asia. The national government generally exercised tight control over its people during this time.

The following chart shows the Maldives' ratings since 1972 in the Freedom in the World reports, published annually by Freedom House. A rating of 1 is "free"; 7, "not free". [6] 1

Amidst Abdulla Yameen's time in office, accusations of human rights transgressions came to light, accompanied by the imprisonment of several opposition politicians, among them former president Mohamed Nasheed. [7]

After a coup attempt by supporters of Nasir was uncovered in 1980, the government arrested those thought to be involved, and their wives and children were placed under house arrest. At least three people were sentenced for association with the former president, and at least one – Mohamed Ismail Manniku Sikku, the former Director of Civil Aviation – was banished to an uninhabited atoll for "ten years and a day". [8]

The president considered responsible for the human rights gains in 2009–2010, [2] Mohamed Nasheed, resigned after weeks of protests led by police and was placed under house arrest. [9] [10] [11] He was replaced by Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the former head of UNICEF Afghanistan. [12]

Current issues (2008–)

Freedom of religion

The constitution declares Islam as the state religion of the Maldives and states that all Maldivian nationals are required to be Sunni Muslims. [13] It is illegal in the country to proselytize any religion other than Islam, and advocate for secularism or the separation of church and state. Apostasy and atheism are also outlawed and those who identify as or accused of being apostates or atheists are punishable by death by Maldivian law (though unenforced) and are often subject to vigilante violence or attacks with little or no consequences for perpetrators by the authorities.

The Maldivian education system observes a strict interpretation of the Islamic religion. All state-run public schools and private schools are required by law to teach Islam from 1st to the 12th grade, with no secular alternatives. [14]

A report by the Maldivian Democracy Network published a report in 2016 investigating radicalism in the Maldives, outlined the extremist ideas cited in textbooks and sermons and controversial theologies promoted in them, as well as radical ideologies prominent in the country was heavily condemned by the extremist religious establishment and disseminators, [15] leading to the organization being banned from continuing its operations without due process and forced into exile. [16] [17]

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs is the only body which grants licenses to imams, and sermons must be approved. They also control religious education and have the power to deport any non-Muslim foreigners. Non-Muslim foreigners are required to practice their religion in private. [2]

On 14 December 2011, a group of ten men attacked peaceful demonstrators in Malé calling for religious tolerance. Sufi Ismail Khilath Rasheed sustained a skull fracture and was later arrested as his calls for tolerance were unconstitutional. No effort was made to arrest the attackers. [13] On 5 June 2012, Rasheed was stabbed in the neck. [18] Reporters Without Borders stated that it appeared that he had been deliberately targeted for his journalism. [19] A minister of the Maldivian government condemned the attack, but also added "Hilath must have known that he had become a target of a few extremists ... We are not a secular country. When you talk about religion there will always be a few people who do not agree." [20]

Freedom of speech

Defamation and Speech "contrary to the tenets of Islam" is illegal.

Media and censorship

2008 saw the Maldives' first private television channels. In August 2010 private channel Villa TV was attacked, and journalists were attacked by police for covering a political protest in October 2010. [2] Opposition websites can be accessed in the country, but some Christian missionary websites have been blocked by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. [2]

On 1 May 2011 two journalists – one from Haveeru Daily and one from Sun FM – were arrested for covering a protest. They were released after 24 hours. [3]

Freedom of assembly

The constitution protects "freedom of peaceful assembly without prior permission of the State", and the U.S. State Department claims these rights are generally upheld. [3]

In July 2020, Human Rights Watch denounced the Maldivian government's recent enforcement of laws restricting protests and other gatherings, saying that the government's actions constituted a violation of fundamental rights. The government's decision to enforce the laws came in the wake of multiple protests staged during the month of July. [21]

Vigilantes attack a man in Male after a theft. Selbstjustiz Malediven.jpg
Vigilantes attack a man in Malé after a theft.

Most judges have no formal legal training and are given much leeway in their interpretations of Muslim law. [13]

The Maldives National Defence Force holds human rights courses. [3]

Allegations of arbitrary arrests and torture

Flogging is a frequently imposed punishment, and carried out behind the court buildings. [13] 96 people – over 80% of them women – were sentenced to this mode of punishment in 2010. [3]

Arbitrary arrest and detention is illegal. [3]

At least four members of parliament were arrested in July 2010. They claimed the detentions were carried out to force them to comply with political demands. They were released soon after. [22] On 16 August 2011 one of these MPs, Abdullah Yameen, was granted compensation. [3]

Minority and women's rights

Parliament contains five female members, and women have a 98% literacy rate. [2]

In 2011 four police officers were discharged from the force, but not formally charged, for driving a woman around Malé, forcing her to strip her clothes, sexually and physically abusing her, and throwing her on the street. [3]

As the state partially practices Sharia law in some matters, homosexuality is illegal. The punishment for men is nine months to one year imprisonment, or 10 to 30 lashes. The punishment for women is nine months to one year of house arrest. [3]

See also

Notes

1. ^ Note that the "Year" signifies the "Year covered". Therefore the information for the year marked 2008 is from the report published in 2009, and so on.
2. ^ As of 1 January.
3. ^ The 1982 report covers 1981 and the first half of 1982, and the following 1984 report covers the second half of 1982 and the whole of 1983. In the interest of simplicity, these two aberrant "year and a half" reports have been split into three year-long reports through interpolation.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Maldives</span>

The history of the Maldives is intertwined with the history of the broader Indian subcontinent and the surrounding regions, comprising the areas of South Asia and Indian Ocean. The modern nation is formed of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1194 islands. Historically, the Maldives has held strategic importance due to its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives's nearest neighbors are the British Indian Ocean Territory, Sri Lanka and India. The United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, and some Indian kingdoms have had cultural and economic ties with the Maldives for centuries. In addition to these countries, Maldivians also traded with Aceh and many other kingdoms in what is today Indonesia and Malaysia. The Maldives provided the primary source of cowrie shells, which were then used as currency throughout Asia and parts of the East African coast. Most probably, Maldives were influenced by Kalingas of ancient India who were earliest sea traders to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from India, responsible for the spread of Buddhism. Stashes of Chinese crockery found buried in various locations in the Maldives also show that there was direct or indirect trade contact between China and the Maldives. In 1411 and 1430, the Chinese admiral Zheng He (鄭和) visited the Maldives. The Chinese also became the first country to establish a diplomatic office in the Maldives when the Chinese nationalist government based in Taipei opened an embassy in Malé in 1966. The Embassy of the People's Republic of China has since replaced this office.

The politics of the Maldives take place in the framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President is the Head of Government. Executive power is exercised by the government. The President heads the executive branch and appoints the Cabinet; like many presidential democracies, each member of the cabinet need to be approved by the Parliament. The President, along with their pick for vice president, is directly elected by the denizens to a five-year term by a secret ballot. Once in office, they could be re-elected to a second 5-year term, which is the limit allowed by the Constitution. The current President of the Maldives is Mohamed Muizzu, when his predecessor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih lost the 2023 Maldivian presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maumoon Abdul Gayoom</span> President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian statesman, diplomat and scholar who served as the 3rd president of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 1977 to 1978, and as the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations from 1976 to 1977. After serving six presidential terms, Gayoom became the longest serving president in Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldivian Democratic Party</span> Political party in the Maldives

The Maldivian Democratic Party is the first political party formed in the Republic of Maldives with a total membership of 50,980 individuals as of July 28, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Nasheed</span> President of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012

Mohamed Nasheed GCSK, also known as Anni, is a Maldivian politician and activist who served as president of the Maldives from 2008 until his resignation in 2012. A founding member of the Maldivian Democratic Party, he subsequently served as the 19th speaker of the People's Majlis from May 2019 until his resignation in November 2023. He is the first democratically elected president of the Maldives and the only president to resign from office. He is currently a member of The Democrats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of the Maldives</span> Head of state and head of government of the Maldives

The president of the Republic of Maldives is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Maldives and the commander-in-chief of the Maldives National Defence Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmed Shaheed</span> UN Special Rapporteur

Ahmed Shaheed is a Maldivian diplomat, politician and professor. On 24 March 2016, he was appointed for the sixth year running as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Shaheed is also the Chairperson of the Geneva-based international human rights think-tank, Universal Rights Group, which was launched in January 2014. He now lives in England as a Professor of Human Rights Practice at the University of Essex. Shaheed is also a Senior Fellow at Raoul Wallenberg Human Rights Centre and a Fellow at the Bonavero Institute of Human rights at the University of Oxford.

The 2008 Constitution of Maldives designates Sunni Islam as the state religion. Only Sunni Muslims are allowed to hold citizenship in the country and citizens may practice Sunni Islam only. Non-Muslim citizens of other nations can practice their faith only in private and are barred from evangelizing or propagating their faith. All residents are required to teach their children the Muslim faith. The president, ministers, parliamentarians, and chiefs of the atolls are required to be Sunni Muslims. Government regulations are based on Islamic law. Only certified Muslim scholars can give fatawa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Progressive Party of Maldives</span> Nationalist and conservative political party in the Maldives

The Progressive Party of Maldives, is a political party in the Maldives with a total membership of 35,044 as of 25 April 2024. The stated goal of the party is driving Maldives towards an independent and democratic, safe and secure, high income, high human capital, developed nation state with a diversified and robust economy whilst preserving its Islamic heritage.

Ismail Khilath Rasheed is a Maldivian blogger known for his support of religious tolerance and his involvement in several national controversies. Reporters Without Borders has described him as a "leading journalist" and "one of his country’s leading free speech advocates".

Presidential elections were held in the Maldives on 7, 9 and 16 November 2013. The first round was held on 7 September. As no candidate received a majority, a second round was planned to be held in 28 September between the candidates who received the most votes in the first round, former President Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen, paternal half-brother of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Incumbent President Mohammed Waheed Hassan was eliminated in the first round after receiving less votes than three other candidates.

The 2011–2013 Maldives political crisis began as a series of peaceful protests that broke out in the Maldives on 1 May 2011. They would continue, eventually escalating into the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed in disputed circumstances in February 2012. Demonstrators were protesting what they considered the government's mismanagement of the economy and were calling for the ouster of President Nasheed. The main political opposition party in the country, the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party led by the former president of the country Maumoon Abdul Gayoom accused President Nasheed of "talking about democracy but not putting it into practice." The protests occurred during the Arab Spring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Husnu Al Suood</span>

Husnu Al Suood born in Meedhoo is a Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Maldives since 8 December 2019. He was the Attorney General of the Maldives from June 2009 to August 2010. He served as the Chief Judge of the Civil Court and as a member of the Judicial Service Commission of Maldives. He also served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission of the Maldives from 2003 to 2005. As a member of the Special Majlis, Suood participated in drafting the current constitution of the Republic of Maldives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdulla Yameen</span> President of the Maldives from 2013 to 2018

Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian politician who served as president of the Maldives from 2013 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maafushi Prison</span> Maximum-security prison on Maafushi Island, Maldives

Maafushi Prison is a prison in Maafushi on Kaafu Atoll in the Maldives, 18 miles (29 km) south of the capital, Malé. It is the largest prison on the islands and has held numerous political prisoners over the years, including former presidents like Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen.

Presidential elections were held in the Maldives on Sunday, 23 September 2018. Incumbent president Abdulla Yameen of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) was seeking re-election for a second five-year term. His only challenger was Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who was nominated as the joint candidate of a coalition of opposition parties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldivian diaspora</span> Ethnic group

The Maldivian diaspora refers to the community of Maldivians, speakers of the Maldivian language, who have either emigrated from the Republic of Maldives or grew up outside of the Maldives speaking Dhivehi as a first language. The Republic of Maldives is a South Asian country geographically located in the Indian Ocean, Laccadive Sea and Arabian Sea. Maldivians have historically emigrated from the Maldives for numerous reasons including low economic opportunity, political repression and education. India and Sri Lanka currently host the most Maldivians living outside of the Maldives, but other diaspora communities can be found in Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, and Australia.

Shahindha Ismail is a Maldivian human rights activist who is the founder and executive director of the Maldivian Democracy Network, the first and longest running human rights NGO in the Maldives. She has served as the President of the Police Integrity Commission and as a member of the Prison Audit Commission. She is one of a few advocates against religious fundamentalism in the Maldives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmed Rilwan</span> Maldivian journalist (1986–2014)

Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla was a Maldivian journalist, reporter and blogger who was abducted and killed in 2014. His disappearance received international recognition and sparked protests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yameen Rasheed</span> Maldivian blogger (1988–2017)

Yameen Rasheed was a Maldivian liberal blogger and IT professional who was stabbed 16 times in his staircase. His death received international news coverage and condemnation among world leaders and had sparked protests.

References

  1. ↑ "Maldives". The World Factbook . Central Intelligence Agency . Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Freedom in the World 2011: Maldives". Freedom House . Archived from the original on 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011: Maldives". Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor . United States Department of State. 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  4. 1 2 ""An All-Out Assault on Democracy": Crushing Dissent in the Maldives". Human Rights Watch . 2018-08-16. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  5. ↑ "President ratifies bill to repeal Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act". PSM News . 22 November 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "Country ratings and status, FIW 1973–2012". Freedom House . 2012. Archived from the original (XLS) on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  7. ↑ "China debt dogs Maldives' 'bridge to prosperity'". BBC News. 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  8. ↑ "Maldives". Amnesty International Report 1981 (PDF). London: Amnesty International Publications. 1981. pp. 242–23. Archived from the original on 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  9. ↑ "Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed resigns amid unrest". BBC News. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  10. ↑ "Maldives' VP Hassan Takes Oath as President". Time . Male, Maldives. Associated Press. 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  11. ↑ Magnier, Mark (7 February 2012). "Maldives president resigns after weeks of protest". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  12. ↑ "Dr. Waheed's biography". Mohamed Waheed Hassan . Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Annual Report 2012: Maldives". Amnesty International . 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  14. ↑ "Maldives". Freedom of Thought Report. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  15. ↑ Asif, Aishath Razan (26 October 2019). "'Ban MDN' movement will not back down - Sheikh Iyaz". Avas. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  16. ↑ "MDN banned for 'blasphemy', forced into exile". Dhivehi Sitee. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  17. ↑ Shaany, Aishath (10 October 2019). "MDN suspended following controversy over 2016 report". Raajje TV . Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  18. ↑ Robinson, JJ (5 June 2012). "Prominent blogger Hilath Rasheed in critical condition after stabbing". Minivan News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  19. ↑ Greenslade, Roy (6 June 2012). "Maldives journalist stabbed in the neck". The Guardian . Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  20. ↑ "Liberal blogger stabbed in the Maldives: Police". The Express Tribune . Agence France-Presse. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  21. ↑ Shaahunaz, Fathmath (15 July 2020). "Human Rights Watch slams Maldives govt's restriction on protests". The Edition . Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  22. ↑ "Annual Report 2011: Maldives". Amnesty International . 2011. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
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