Maldives News

Abusive judicial discretion in the Maldives

The Maldivian judiciary has restricted the media’s right to report court proceedings, undermined the autonomy of independent bodies, and arbitrarily disbarred lawyers, writes Shamsul Falaah.

JP headquarters closed after court’s ‘unconstitutional’ conditions

JP leader Gasim Ibrahim was released from police custody on the condition that he refrains from speaking in a manner that sows discord or incites unrest or allowing others to use his property to deliver such speeches.

Yameen’s family petitions UN for international investigation

The appeal for urgent action was submitted to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and four Special Rapporteurs on the family’s behalf by pro bono international counsel Jared Genser.

Man arrested for raising Islamic State flag

Superintendent Ahmed Shifan told Maldives Independent that the suspect was arrested earlier this week and the criminal court has since remanded him to police custody for seven days.

A tribute to Yameen Rasheed – and a call for justice and accountability

Police Chief Ahmed Areef must accept an independent international investigation or resign as he is ultimately responsible for the failure to protect Yameen despite numerous death threats, writes Jared Genser.

Gasim released with conditions

The conditions for his release include refraining from “holding meetings with people who sow discord and strife in society,” speaking in a manner that sows discord or incites unrest and allowing others to use his home or property to deliver such speeches.

UN rights experts call for public inquiry into Yameen’s murder

The three Special Rapporteurs observed that the unsolved murder was “the latest in a series of attacks against journalists and human rights defenders expressing liberal views,” which occurred “against a backdrop of rising religious intolerance in the Maldives”.

Drinking water shortage continues in Malé

Businesses and households in Malé have been struggling to buy drinking water for the past five weeks after a fall in production coupled with high demand during the dry season led to an acute shortage.

‘Next is you’: More death threats follow blogger’s murder

Prominent clerics accused of justifying the killing of ‘apostates’ as death threats mount in the wake of blogger Yameen Rasheed’s murder.

Elections Commission begins announcing results

With results from 98 percent of 422 ballot boxes collected, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party is leading with 315 seats and the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives is trailing with 185 seats.

Lawyers spar over Gasim’s bribery charge

Gasim was charged for declaring that the allied opposition parties would grant tickets for the 2019 parliamentary elections to MPs who vote to impeach Speaker Maseeh and offering to help with their re-election campaigns.

Four more suspects arrested over Yameen’s murder

Gayoom’s secretary-general pays MVR85k fine for contempt of court

Aleem was fined after a five-judge panel decided that he contravened a civil court ruling that stripped Gayoom of his powers as the elected leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives.

Government reinstates health insurance to private sector

The government has reversed an abrupt policy change implemented without notice on Saturday night to exclude private healthcare providers from the state’s free health insurance scheme.

Private healthcare providers excluded from insurance scheme

Consultation and treatment sought at private healthcare providers will no longer be covered by the state’s free health insurance scheme after an abrupt policy change was implemented without notice on Saturday night.

Election ‘marred’ by arbitrary extension of voting hours

Administrative processes during Saturday’s local council election was “marred by the questionable decision by the Elections Commission to arbitrarily extend the voting time,” Transparency Maldives has said after observing the voting process.

Council elections outcome ‘satisfactory’ for ruling party

The ruling coalition has described the outcome of Saturday’s local council election as “a satisfactory victory” despite heavy losses in the capital and other populous islands.

Opposition declares landslide victory

Provisional results show that the MDP swept the Malé, Addu and Fuvahmulah city councils and secured majorities in other populous islands across the country.

Maldives votes in third local council election

After multiple delays and campaigning amidst a political crisis, voting is underway throughout the Maldives in the country’s third local council elections.

Vox pop: Voting day

As polls opened Saturday morning for the long-delayed local council elections, the Maldives Independent spoke to voters in the capital about their voting experience.