Maldives

President pledges 1,500 flats for government employees

President Abdulla Yameen has pledged to develop 1,500 housing units in Malé’s suburb, Hulhumalé, for professionals working for the government.

Maldives condemned by UN and others over defamation law

The UN, US and human rights groups have urged the Maldivian government to scrap or amend a law re- criminalising defamation over restrictions it imposes on free speech and the press.

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.

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

Watchdog lets police off the hook over torture claims

Yameen appoints new home minister

Yameen has replaced Home Minister Ahmed Zuhoor with Azleen Ahmed, a junior minister at the education ministry. The reason for the sudden change remain unclear.

Commonwealth envoy arrives in Maldives

Kenya’s former chief justice flew into the Maldives Sunday for his first visit as a special envoy of the Commonwealth amid an intensifying government crackdown on dissent.

Defamation bill draws international criticism

The revised defamation bill is a “serious setback for freedom of speech in the Maldives,” said the US, UK, EU, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands in a strongly worded joint statement.

Ex-minister placed under police protection

Ex home minister Umar Naseer says he has been placed under police protection after receiving death threats from a group of unidentified men carrying knives.

Airport project on protected island alarms environmentalists

Environmental groups say construction of an airport on the “unique and rare” island of Dhigulaabadhoo in southern Gaaf Dhaal Atoll would lead to biodiversity loss.

PPM expels Gayoom’s son

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s son was expelled Tuesday from the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives amid a bitter internal power struggle that has erupted into open warfare.