The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has called on authorities to take action against speakers at ongoing political rallies in Malé who, it says, are making remarks that breach social norms, stoke public hatred, and encourage unrest.
The call came in a statement issued by the commission on Monday night, amid a wave of nightly demonstrations staged by the opposition MDP and PNF against the government. Efforts to disperse the gatherings have led to clashes with police, and several people have been taken into custody.
In its statement, HRCM acknowledged that freedom of thought and expression is a constitutional right, provided it does not conflict with the fundamentals of Islam. However, the commission stressed that the exercise of this right is bound by limits and must not come at the expense of others’ rights.
“We note that expressions made at political party gatherings and rallies, as well as through the media and social media, which incite hatred among people, call for the disruption of social harmony and public interest, and encourage violent conduct, run contrary to the spirit of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed to Maldivian citizens under the Constitution,” the statement read.
The commission did not cite any specific remarks or incidents from the rallies.
While condemning such conduct, HRCM urged political parties and their senior figures to refrain from such acts, and pressed the relevant authorities to respond with the measures necessary to address them. It further called on parties to put the public interest first when organising their events, and to plan them in a way that prevents such incidents from taking place.
The commission also appealed to security forces to cooperate with political activities that are conducted within the bounds of existing regulations.
