Maldives News

MPs propose tougher restrictions on press ahead of vote on defamation bill

PPM MPs have proposed tougher restrictions on the press in a revised version of a controversial bill seeking to recriminalize defamation, disregarding a ground swell of opposition from journalists, human rights groups and the international community.

New bill to give police authority over protests in Malé

A ruling party lawmaker introduced today a bill requiring written permission from the police force for street protests in the Maldives’ congested capital, Malé.

Maldives MPs vote to restrict free speech

Some 47 MPs approved today a bill that imposes severe restrictions on free speech and press freedom.

Maldives ‘defamation law’ to curtail freedom of expression

Azra Naseem dissects the government-proposed bill to recriminalise defamation. “To start with, direct full-frontal assault on the right to freedom of expression,” she writes.

Fear contributes to low turnout at MUO rallies

A severe and wide-ranging police crackdown is contributing to low turnout at opposition rallies. Some hope the ongoing split in the ruling party will help supporters break free from fear.

President overhauls the employment tribunal

Yameen has overhauled the seven-member employment tribunal, appointing four new members to the panel in the last month alone.

Family of disappeared journalist unveil song to mark second anniversary

Unveiling the song, Rilwan’s sister Mariyam Shehenaz said: “I wrote the words to an old Hindi song, one that we used to listen together, our heads together, the ear phones shared between our ears.”

Two more May Day detainees sentenced

Ibrahim Ibadh was found guilty of grabbing Sergeant Abdul Rahman Hussain’s baton and hitting him with it and Ibrahim Rasheed was found guilty of beating the officer with a cone and a helmet.

Remembering Rilwan

“My pain over losing Rilwan is largely about what could have been: a close friendship; a long, productive relationship in which we could have spent all this time working towards a shared goal and purpose: of making the society we were born into one that is more tolerant, equal and more…loving,” writes Azra Naseem

Gayoom seeks to stay court battle for control of PPM

Gayoom has asked the civil court to halt a lawsuit over control of PPM, filed by MPs loyal to Yameen, until September when he returns from a private trip abroad.

Minority leader questioned over Nasheed’s house arrest

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the parliamentary group leader of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, was questioned about a disputed document provided to former President Nasheed by the Maldives Correctional Services confirming his transfer to house arrest for the remainder of his 13-year jail sentence.

Deported for ‘practising journalism’

Elwira Szczecian, the Polish photo journalist deported from the Maldives in late July for taking pictures at an opposition rally, recounts her ordeal

Parliament considers five-year terms for local councils

MP Ahmed Amir of the government-aligned Maldives Development Alliance proposed amending the constitution to increase the term of local councils from three to five years.

Lawyers question charges raised over weapons cache

Lawyers representing jailed former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and former Colonel Ahmed Fayaz ‘Papa’ have challenged the validity of charges raised against the pair in relation to an arms cache discovered submerged in a reef last November.

Second MP’s phone confiscated over tweet

The police summoned main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party MP Ali Nizar for questioning over a tweet last night and confiscated his phone.

Watchdog lets police off the hook over torture claims

Man fined MVR8,000 over ‘white underwear protest’

The Rasdhoo island magistrate court has fined a man MVR8,000 (US$520) for snatching back from the police a large pair of white underwear hung outside the courthouse as part of a protest in September 2013.

A conversation with Umar Naseer

Ex Home Minister Umar Naseer speaks candidly about his resignation from the cabinet, the changing political landscape, and the high-profile murder of Dr Afrasheem Ali.

Electricity, commercial housing projects launched in Hulhumalé

President Abdulla Yameen laid the foundation stone Sunday for a new power station in the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé. The state-owned housing corporation has meanwhile signed several contracts for commercial housing projects in the reclaimed artificial island.

Maldives ‘rejects’ international criticism of defamation bill

The defamation bill “does not seek to criminalise free speech,” the government insists, claiming that it would “provide a layer of protection for those who may fall victim to scurrilous and defamatory articles and to ensure that such comment does not impact upon issues of religious sentiment or national security.”