Joint statement: Civil society organizations renew calls to end impunity for crimes against journalists in Maldives
The signatories expressed concern that the criminal court recently dropped charges against the accused in the murders of journalist Ahmed Rilwan and blogger Yameen Rasheed.
Maldives parliament considers amendment restricting journalists’ coverage of elections
Critics warn that the proposed amendment will restrict journalists’ ability to cover elections, which will undermine the public’s fundamental right to information.
Police assault 2 journalists covering political protest in the Maldives
Police officers assaulted two journalists who were covering protests near the country’s parliament.
Maldives: Backsliding on law reform, free speech
The government did not carry out promised reforms to the Freedom of Assembly Act; police harassed and threatened journalists covering protests.
Maldives: Reforms fall short in curbing threats to free speech
A new report from Human Rights Watch noted that the government of Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has not fulfilled election promises to reform the criminal justice system to address threats to free expression.
Maldives legislature considers bill that could force journalists to reveal sources
The proposed Evidence Bill, if passed into law, would allow courts to compel journalists and media outlets in Maldives to reveal their sources.
Maldives Journalists Association launches report on impunity for crimes against journalists
Entitled ‘Chasing Justice. Study on impunity for crimes against journalists’, the report looks into the violence and threats faced by Maldivian journalists.
Maldives: Parliamentary committee intervenes in media council case
The Maldives Journalists Association is concerned that the parliamentary committee, which has the power to summon and question members of the Maldives Media Council, became directly involved as a complainant in an investigation overseen by the Council.
Maldives: Pandemic response exposes inequities, abuse
According to Human Rights Watch, authorities in Maldives cracked down on foreign workers protesting wage abuses that escalated during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Maldives government imposes broad restrictions on protests
The Home Affairs Ministry declared that street protests and marches could only be held with prior written approval from the police. In addition, the Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ministry stated that nongovernmental organizations should not support “actions that are detrimental to national security and national interests.”
Human rights group shut down in Maldives for ‘insulting’ religion
A temporary shut down order was issued by the Maldives government against the Maldivian Democracy Network for a 2015 report that allegedly ‘insulted’ religion.
Maldives journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla killed by Al-Qaeda group in 2014, commission finds
Rilwan was killed for his writing about alleged Al-Qaeda links in the Maldives and his advocacy for freedom of expression.
Maldives commission renews hope of justice for bloggers Rilwan and Rasheed
A new presidential commission in Maldives is investigating the abduction of Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla and the murder of Yameen Rasheed.
Maldives presidential candidates urged to affirm press freedom
The presidential election is scheduled for 23 September