Maldives : assault on civil and political rights

Abstract

At the conclusion of a visit to the Republic of Maldives, Amnesty International believes human rights in the country have already been seriously eroded and are at risk of further deterioration. The following briefing is based on the findings of this visit, which was prompted by reports of blatant breaches of the right to a fair trial for some leading opponents of the government. Political tension in the country has been exacerbated by the harassment, detention and imprisonment of government opponents. Safeguards against human rights violations are progressively eroding and the government is failing in its duty to stop this. Serious irregularities within judicial processes have resulted in rampant violations of the right to a fair trial and a severe weakening of the fundamental principle of judicial impartiality. The Maldives’ human rights infrastructure and civil society are also under threat. The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), whose constitutional independence should be guarded by all other state institutions, has been subjected to judicial harassment for reporting to international mechanisms on human rights violations. Human rights NGOs are harassed and threatened that they will be deregistered. Political opponents of the government taking part in peaceful demonstrations have been arrested, detained for days or weeks, and released only after having conditions imposed that they must not take part in future demonstrations for a certain period of time. Journalists, human rights defenders and opposition politicians have received death threats, and police have failed to mount credible investigations to bring those responsible to justice. Political rallies have been attacked by gangs suspected of working in connivance with the police. None of the attackers, even when they are allegedly known to the police, are known to have been brought to justice.