SEATTLE — The Republic of the Maldives, known in short as just the Maldives, is a very young tropical nation, with only 18 years since it was first universally recognized as independent. It is a presidential representative democratic republic that recently has had a lot of outcry for human rights reform.
The U.S. Department of State claims in a 2016 report that the most significant problem with human rights in the Maldives is the efforts made by the government to restrict freedom of speech and assembly. Corruption and ineffective judiciary processes are also reported issues.
An open letter to the United Nations Human Rights council posted by the International Federation for Human Rights from June of this year also cites major restrictions and dangers imposed on citizens. The letter discusses a particular case where a prominent human rights defender and blogger, Yameen Rasheed, was murdered in his home after speaking out against rising religious extremism, human rights abuses, injustice and government corruption in the country.
The letter states that after receiving numerous death threats, Rasheed “reported these threats to the Maldives Police Service, which failed to respond effectively. More than a month after Yameen Rasheed’s murder, the police have taken no steps towards a credible investigation.” The president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen, in the days following outcry about Rasheed’s murder called the cries for human rights in the Maldives, democracy and justice “hate speech.”
Cases like Rasheed’s are becoming increasingly similar, as Amnesty International states that new laws and criminal cases are used to silence political opponents. Amnesty International explains that this restriction on expression comes from a recent defamation law that restricts assembly, protest or human rights defenders.
The punishments the Maldives government issues for breaking these laws or restrictions are considered cruel and inhumane by many nations, international councils and human rights advocates. Political prisoners being detained and flogging as punishment were listed by the aforementioned Department of State report on human rights in the Maldives.
Other human rights concerns include abuse or unequal treatment of women, employment discrimination (especially to migrant laborers) and restrictions on religious freedom.
While there is little opportunity for those in the Maldives to express their concerns, international awareness and discussion can help pressure the government to do right by their constituents.
– Gabriella Paez
Photo: Flickr