Background

The People’s National Congress won the Parliamentary elections in April.

Freedom of expression

The Evidence Act, which allows judges to compel journalists to reveal their sources in matters relating to “terrorism” and “national security”, remained. In May, Maldives fell six places in the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index, ranking 106 out of 180 countries.

Freedom of peaceful assembly

Unlawful restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly increased. In February, the Police Commissioner announced bans on any protests in areas surrounding governmental institutions, such as the Parliament building, the President’s Office and the Supreme Court.

In February, the High Court ruled that Aishath Rasheed, an employee of the Maldives Police Services, had been wrongfully dismissed from her job. Aishath Rasheed’s dismissal in August 2017 followed her participation in a demonstration held to mark three years since the forced disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan. The court ordered she be reinstated and compensated.

In August, media reported that two women – Shazra Ibrahim and Aishath Shadhiya – were unlawfully arrested and detained for protesting near embassies, the UN Offices and the residences of ambassadors. The protesters, who were calling for boycotts of Israeli products, were initially remanded in custody before being released on conditional bail on 5 September.

Women’s and girls’ rights

Women continued to be underrepresented in public affairs. Only three out of 93 MPs elected in April were women. Gender-based violence persisted, with low rates of investigation, prosecution and trials for cases related to violence against women and girls. In July, the UN Human Rights Committee raised concerns about the failure to make female genital mutilation and domestic violence specific criminal offences.

LGBTI people’s rights

Adult consensual same-sex, pre-marital and extra-marital sexual acts remained criminalized.

Freedom of religion and belief

In July, the UN Human Rights Committee called for reform of the constitutional supremacy of sharia law in line with international human rights commitments. Some religious and political groups continued to use religious arguments to call for restrictions on human rights and the work of civil society organizations. The Maldivian Democracy Network remained unable to function since it was shut down in 2019 due to lobbying by religious groups.

Economic, social and cultural rights

The International Monetary Fund highlighted the high cost of living, high import costs and high-cost energy in the country. In March, the UN Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order visited and noted that access to housing and clean water is a challenge for those in remote islands. In July, the UN Human Rights Committee raised concerns about the high prevalence of unsafe abortions, the stigma surrounding reproductive care and geographical barriers to health services.

Right to truth, justice and reparation

The Presidential Commission on Deaths and Disappearances was dissolved in May without publishing findings of its investigations or sharing information with families of people who had been forcibly disappeared.

Right to a healthy environment

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment visited the Maldives and reported on delays to the clean energy transition and heavy reliance on state-subsidized fossil fuels. He highlighted the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on marginalized communities, who have limited access to adaptation measures. The UN Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order reported on how rapid urbanization and unsustainable development practices continued to exacerbate environmental degradation.