14th October 2025
Over the past week, the Maldives Police Services have seized the phones of two women of the Maldivian Democratic Party based on politically motivated charges, and via anonymous accounts on the social media platform “X”, have released private images of the two to the public. MDP’s National Council Member and the President of the Hulhumale’ North Constituency Fathimath Zahiyya, and MDP Youth Wing Member Aishath Shiman Ahmed were targeted by police following their participation in opposition activities, and had their phones seized on unsubstantiated charges. On the night of October 8th, 2025, Shiman was surrounded by a large number of police officers outside of her home, and her mobile phone was violently seized without the presentation of a warrant. Within hours an anonymous account was created on “X”, threatening to post private images of Shiman with demands that she “back down”; a threat that was followed through when a private image of Shiman was subsequently released on social media. Shiman has since stated in an interview that the photo was “only on her phone, nowhere else,” leaving the Maldives Police Service as the sole party responsible for the leak. Shiman has also highlighted that the leaked image pictured her as a minor, adding greater severity to the crimes committed by the police, and greater urgency to hold those responsible to account. Fathimath Zahiyya’s (Zaya) phone was seized last week regarding a post made on Facebook on 7th October, 2025. She was accosted by the police as she was taking her child to school, adding to the mounting pile of evidence suggesting the MPS’ intent to threaten and intimidate. Since then, leaks from the device have followed in a manner near-identical to that of Shiman’s, as another anonymous “X” account was used to threaten, and eventually release private images and videos of Zaya. Zaya, too, has publicly accused the police of being responsible for the leak. Shiman and her lawyers have been informed that the police are not pressing charges, despite earlier information to the contrary. Logs regarding activity on the phone throughout the duration of the seizure shows more than 30 minutes during which the police accessed Shiman’s photographs through Google Photos and her gallery. Given the police had no intention to prosecute, nor evidence to support prosecution, and with clear evidence of their having accessed the private contents of the phone, their actions can only be considered blatant intimidation tactics, and a betrayal of their oath of service to the people. With the closely tied timeline of events from seizure of the devices to the threats and leaks, and the gravely concerning parallels between Zaya and Shiman’s cases, there is little choice but to conclude that the MPS are the party responsible for this deplorable violation of their constitutional right to privacy and safety. The targeted harassment and abuse of women – particularly those involved in politics – has long been a feature of the Maldivian state and policing institutions, and the police have been accused of leaking personal content from devices held under their watch innumerable times through the years. Given the sensitive nature of the photograph, those responsible must be immediately held to account, and prosecuted in a court of law. The actions of the MPS are an affront to the Maldivian Constitution, and the privacy, dignity and basic safety of our women have been violated in this gross abuse of power. The excessive show of force and the needlessly violent conduct of the police during the seizure highlights their intent to threaten and intimidate dissenting voices, and the MPS’ willingness to abuse their authority to humiliate and control women through sexual violence highlights the depth of the corruption and depravity within the institution. Today, our law enforcement has proven, yet again, that they are misogynistic cronies and under the administration’s thumb, and that they will not hesitate to commit even the most heinous of crimes to silence all dissent and opposition. Complaints have been lodged at the National Integrity Commission and the People’s Majlis, as well as the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives asking for immediate investigation to take place into the conduct of the MPS. The Maldivian Democratic Party demands that action be taken against the perpetrators within the Maldivian Police Service immediately, and that a transparent and fair investigation be conducted. Despite the best efforts of the administration and the MPS, our women will not bow to intimidation. Shiman and Zaya have shown exceptional resilience and bravery and have proven they will not be cowed by such pathetic, cowardly acts. The Maldivian Democratic Party stands with its members, and salutes their courage in the face of autocracy.
6th October 2025
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) strongly condemns the continued detention of six individuals arrested during the peaceful protest on 3rd October. At the remand hearing, the Criminal Court extended their detention by an additional 15 days, and have now been transferred to Dhoonidhoo Custodial Jail. We are deeply concerned that the detainees were not given the opportunity to consult with a lawyer prior to the remand hearing – a clear violation of their constitutional right to legal counsel. Denying access to lawyers undermines due process and further erodes confidence in the fairness of the judicial system. We further note with grave concern that government-aligned sources are spreading misinformation about those arrested, falsely claiming that they have criminal backgrounds. This is completely untrue and appears to be an attempt to justify the unlawful arrests and discredit peaceful demonstrators. Among those detained are: Detainees released : These arrests, coupled with the excessive use of force and disregard for constitutional rights, reflect the rapid decline of democracy in the Maldives. The MDP calls for the immediate release of all those detained and urges the authorities to uphold the Constitution, protect the rights of all citizens, and respect the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression
4th October 2025
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) strongly condemns the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters in Malé on Friday night, and the indiscriminate arrests carried out by the Muizzu administration. Although 13 have been reported to be arrested, the Police has not verified the details of the arrests. Those arrested include two former Members of Parliament and the sitting President of Maafushi Council. Those under police detention have not yet had any access to lawyers. In one shocking incident, MDP Constituency Vice President Mohamed Raslaan suffered a heart attack after being exposed to pepper spray at close range and subjected to Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs). The use of LRADs is unprecedented in the Maldives and poses serious risks of permanent hearing damage, dizziness, nausea, and other severe health impacts. These events highlight the rapid erosion of democracy in the Maldives. Under President Muizzu, the government has increasingly resorted to authoritarian tactics—undermining judicial independence, silencing the media, and now deploying dangerous weapons against citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. This crackdown comes at a time when Maldivians are already grappling with a deepening economic crisis, rising debt, and growing discontent with the government. The MDP calls for the immediate release of all those arrested and demands accountability for the use of excessive force. We urge the international community to act swiftly and pressure the Muizzu administration to end this brutality and uphold the democratic rights and freedoms of the Maldivian people.
3rd October 2025
We unequivocally condemn the violent assault on the public and the brutal use of excessive force against peaceful civilians during the demonstration. As thousands of people have taken to the streets calling for the resignation of President Muizzu, police are obstructing their right to peacefully demonstrate. Several protesters have already sustained serious injuries due to the police’s indiscriminate use of pepper spray and riot shields against protesters and journalists, while reporters broadcasting live have been forcibly ordered to leave the scene. More than 6 arrests have been confirmed at the time of writing, and the MDP demands the immediate release of party members and all members of the public that have been arrested by the police. While the exact number of arrests and identities are uncertain, the party demands the unconditional release of all protesters engaging in their constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression. These actions are not law enforcement. Rather, they are deliberate violations of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Maldivian constitution, an attack on press freedom, and a blatant attempt to silence the people. Such abuses of power are intolerable and must be held accountable.
1st October 2025
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) strongly condemns the statement issued by Maldives Police Service (MPS) signalling their intention to disrupt ‘Lootuvaifi Lootuvaifi’ event scheduled for the 3rd of October, 2025, and attempts by the Muizzu’s administration to disrupt the peaceful political action through paid criminal actors. The MDP assures all authorities and participants that the event is a peaceful political rally, and that claims made by the MPS suggesting otherwise are deliberate attempts at disrupting the rally using gross misinformation tactics. The Muizzu administration's willingness to lie to the public has been an ever-present feature of the regime, and the police’s willingness to further these claims are only further evidence of a need for the protests. We regret that these tactics are a clear means of deflecting attention away from reports highlighting the administration’s intent to use external criminal actors to create violence at the event regarding which a complaint has been lodged by the MDP at the Maldives Police Services, highlighting links between the PNC and criminal organizations and the demonstrated intent of the Muizzu administration to harm protesters. The party asks that the MPS stay committed to their duty to protect the public, and to uphold the constitutional right to free expression and protest by ensuring that no external disruptions are allowed at the rally. Representatives from the MDP met with the MPS on September 28th to share information on the event scheduled for 3rd October, with further documentation submitted in writing as needed. The MDP reiterates that the rally will proceed as discussed at the meeting. The police’s actions are only the latest in a long list of actions that highlight the rapidly eroding democratic freedoms in our country, and showcase president Muizzu’s alarming willingness to subvert our democratic institutions for his own gain. With our parliament and judiciary firmly under his thumb, and our “independent” institutions used only to further the president’s autocratic agenda, the only remaining recourse is for our people to engage in direct action and demonstration. We call on the people of the country to join these peaceful protests at a moment where our country appears on the verge of descending once again into totalitarian dictatorship, as president Muizzu continues his blatantly unconstitutional consolidation of power.
25th September 2025
Maldivian Democratic Party officials including, Party Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, Party President, Mr Abdulla Shahid, MP Meekail Naseem and Foreign Relations Committee member Hussain Shameem were in Colombo, Sri Lanka this morning to meet with resident and accredited Ambassadors and Representatives of the European Union to the Maldives. The delegation briefed the EU Heads of Missions on the deteriorating political and governance situation in the Maldives under President Muizzu, detailing the current administration’s blatant overreach and political interference in independent institutions, serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement, suppression of media and free expression through the media control bill and erratic and irresponsible shifts in foreign and domestic policy. The MDP reminded the EU representatives of the long road to reform and democracy the Maldives undertook and the fight to secure through legislation the independence of oversight bodies and freedom of the press. Both Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail and Party President Abdulla Shahid underscored that these democratic norms are now rapidly being reversed and eroded. The European Union has over half a million tourists visiting the Maldives every year and a strong economic and cultural relationship with the Maldives. It is in the interest of all concerned to ensure that the Maldives does not backslide into further autocracy. The MDP thanks the EU Heads of Mission for their consistent solidarity in maintaining democratic values in the Maldives.
15th September 2025
The Maldivian Democratic Party calls upon both the president and the ruling-party affiliated parliamentarians to immediately reject the newly proposed media control bill. The proposed bill seeks to consolidate the Maldives Media Council and the Maldivian Broadcasting Commission into a single entity under the control of the president, with greatly expanded powers to fine, suspend, and otherwise penalize media based on vague and subjective clauses. The bill’s excessively broad definition of media sources includes news agencies, magazines, publications of any kind, and most concerningly, any posts made on the internet, be it from registered media sources or individual citizens. Since the introduction of the bill, the Maldivian Journalists Association has expressed concerns regarding the powers of censorship conferred to the state, organizing a petition that garnered the signatures of nearly 70% of all journalists registered in the Maldives. Their attempts at peaceful protest were met with violent arrests and the targeted harassment of journalists, as the administration continues to blatantly lie to the public in a coordinated misinformation campaign seeking to discredit journalists. Numerous human rights and civil society organizations, including international organizations such as the Asia Program of the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and the International Federation of Journalists have since joined in condemning the bill and demanding its immediate ejection of the bill from parliament. In a move that characterizes the Muizzu administration’s complete lack of regard for the fundamentals of democratic governance, the draconian bill seeking to place harsh limits on the freedom of speech and expression of both individual citizens and media organizations has now been pushed through the committee stage by ruling party parliamentarians, on this year’s International Day of Democracy. The committee, having ignored a petition by the Maldivian Journalists’ Association, passed the bill in secret after journalists observing and protesting the committee meeting were duplicitously escorted out of the premises. That the administration has resorted to such blatant misinformation campaigns while seeking to suppress independent media paints a crystal clear picture of where the country is headed. Following the systematic dismantling of the independence of the legislative and judicial branches of our country, the president now seeks to censor and control one of the last remaining bastions of resistance against the autocratic rule that president Muizzu is imposing upon our country. We call upon members of the public to hold their parliamentarians and the Muizzu administration accountable, and to join journalists in protesting the draconian media control bill. The government must not be allowed to take away the constitutionally guaranteed right of Maldivians to free speech and expression; it will spell the beginning of the end of democracy in the country.
27th August 2025
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) strongly condemns the arrest of journalists at a peaceful protest calling for the maintenance of the right to free speech and media. Today, during the protest against the 'Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill', several journalists were arrested and obstructed by the Maldivian Police Service without cause. The proposed legislation has been labeled as a 'grave threat' to press freedom and media independence by the Maldives Journalists Association, carried out with no consultation and submitted in a manner to obscure the true proponents of the legislation. Attempts to open dialogue and voice concerns have fallen on deaf ears as lawmakers move forward with rushing the bill through Parliament. This latest curtailment of personal freedoms highlights the dangerous trajectory of the country under the current regime. Since coming to power, President Muizzu has attempted to consolidate power over all branches of government, with independent institutions across the country effectively paralysed. The attack on independent media is another violation of the constitutional right to free speech and represents another step in President Muizzu's attempts to silence dissent. The MDP urges all members of Parliament, civil society, and the free press to stand against the autocratic actions of President Muizzu's administration.
27th August 2025
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) vehemently condemns Majority Leader and PNC MP Falah's call for the death sentence for journalists and execution by impalement. This proposal is not only a gross violation of fundamental human rights, press freedom, and freedom of expression but also a disturbingly cruel and inhumane suggestion. The comments were made during the Parliament debate on the proposed ‘Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill’, a ruling party backed legislation that the Maldives Journalists Association calls “A grave threat poised to eliminate press freedom and media independence in the Maldives”. Earlier today, journalists protested outside Parliament and the President’s Office, calling lawmakers to withdraw the bill. Several journalists were arrested at the scene and obstructed from carrying out peaceful protests. It is particularly appalling that the Majority Leader, a representative of President Muizzu’s ruling party, would advocate for such barbaric treatment, undermining the principles of democracy and human dignity. The MDP urges the government to commit itself to protecting the fundamental rights prescribed in the Constitution and uphold democratic values.