Reference No: 76/07/2012

9 July 2012

MDP Strongly Condemns Unlawful Arrests of its Members and Calls for their Immediate Release

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) condemns the arrests of over 25 peaceful protesters on 8 and 9 July, and calls for their immediate release. Those arrested include a number of the MDP’s elected National Council members, and ordinary members. Protesters rallied at various points in Male’ yesterday to call for elections and to mark five months since the brutal crackdown on unarmed civilians by the Police and Military officers who mutinied and overthrew the Maldives’ first democratically elected Government.

MDP expresses concern over Dr. Waheed’s regime’s flagrant disregard for the constitutionally given rights to freedom of assembly and expression, illustrated by over 650 arrests over his five months in power. The MDP also condemn the constant intimidation and discrimination of opposition media by Police operating at the protest areas.

The MDP’s Spokesperson for International Affairs, Hamid Abdul Gafoor stated, ‘five months on from the coup d’etat that overthrew the Maldives’ first democratic government, Dr. Waheed continues to violate the fundamental rights of his citizens through illegitimate means. Maldivian citizens have and will continue to exercise their constitutional rights to express their disapproval of the regime and call for immediate elections to restore democracy in the Maldives.

The peaceful protest continues in Male’.

ENDS

Hamid Abdul Ghafoor
Spokesperson, International Affairs
Mobile: +9607778285
Tel: +9603340044