Politics
At least six soldiers detained at the barracks
The six detained include two brothers, Mohamed Fawwaz and Abdul Fa’thah of southern Addu City, according to two informed sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
11 Aug 2016, 09:00
Families of death row inmates in the dark on planned executions
The UN human rights chief added his voice to the death penalty abolition cause in the Maldives on Tuesday, giving hope to the family and lawyers of death row inmates facing imminent execution. But they say the government’s silence worries them.
10 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
10 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
10 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
09 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
09 Aug 2016, 09:00
Maldives MPs vote to restrict free speech
Some 47 MPs approved today a bill that imposes severe restrictions on free speech and press freedom.
09 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
08 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
08 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.”
08 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
07 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
05 Aug 2016, 09:00
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
05 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
04 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
03 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.”
02 Aug 2016, 09:00
Riot police switch off microphones at MUO rally
Riot police officers tried to halt an opposition rally Monday night after forcibly entering the Maldivian Democratic Party’s haruge (meeting hall) in Malé without a court order.
02 Aug 2016, 09:00
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.
01 Aug 2016, 09:00
MP under investigation for ‘hateful’ tweet
The Jumhooree Party MP said the police did not directly accuse him of a specific crime, “but it was quiet clear from their questioning and also from the comments they made that I have been accused of obstruction of police duties and of inciting hatred and violence.”
01 Aug 2016, 09:00
Majlis proceeds with criminalising defamation
The ruling party-dominated parliament voted today to accept a bill on criminalising defamation and restricting free speech, disregarding forceful international criticism and a free speech campaign by local journalists.
01 Aug 2016, 09:00
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