Disability grievances, custodial suicides and vigilante justice

Parents of children with disabilities submitted a petition to parliament over delays in reimbursement for therapy, physical and social support. No progress has been made since a meeting with the National Social Protection Agency's chief in January, they said. The group of parents also met with the health minister, who assured action to resolve the issues.

A suicide attempt at the Kulhudhuffushi police station's holding cells was the third one reported this month. It came after the human rights watchdog instructed police to continuously monitor cells until cameras could be installed.

The Human Rights Commission expressed concern over the circulation of videos showing a man who was doused in white paint by a vigilante group over an alleged burglary. The commission appealed against vigilante justice and advised the public to report offenses to the police and to refrain from sharing photos and videos of the Maafushi incident.

Government officials discussed collaboration with TikTok to “unlock new avenues for digital monetisation” as a delegation from social media giant visited the Maldives.

The first Maldivian embassy in Türkiye was officially inaugurated.

Despite media reports to the contrary, new regulations do not restrict driving licenses to people above 60 years of age, the transport ministry assured, explaining that a new permit to be introduced for the elderly offers an easier pathway for obtaining a licence to drive specific vehicles. People above 60 will be able to use their normal licences or apply for new ones.

UN human rights bodies asked the Maldivian government to respond to complaints submitted by former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood over alleged political interference in the suspension of three justices. A separate submission was made by Justice Azmiralda to the UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.

Violent crime decreased in Ramadan compared to the same period last year. But the number of scams reported to the police increased as domestic violence and cybercrimes remained the same.

The Bank of Maldives approved an MVR 350 million (US$ 22 million) loan to finance the construction of two new waqf or Islamic charitable endowment buildings, the revenue from which is to be used to fund Islamic activities and services.

Mohamed Anas, a former deputy minister of finance, was approved as the new president of the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board, following the sudden removal of the previous president.

Residents of Dhaalu atoll can now use the uninhabited island Uhdhoo for picnics, the local governance minister announced.

A collision between a van and motorbike on the Hulhumalé bridge highway left the cycle driver and a six-year-old injured, police told the media.