Ahead of the Maldives' parliamentary elections, opposition parties have urged an investigation and impeachment of President Mohamed Muizzu following a leaked report of his alleged corruption from 2018, which he denied. Watch to know more details!

Maldives president Muizzu faces allegations of corruption

Maldives President Muizzu allegedly involved in corruption, claims leaked report

Proceedings of the Maldivian parliament came to a halt on Sunday as members came to blows, with videos showing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) fighting with ruling Peoples’ National Congress (PNC). Watch in this report for more details!

Government MPs and opposition leaders come to blows in Maldives parliament

Maldives parliament proceedings halted as MPs come to blows

Maldivian Parliament turned into a fighting ring. MPs come to physical blows during a crucial vote on January 28. A special session had been called to grant parliamentary approval to the members of Muizzu's cabinet

Maldives parliament ruckus: Why did MPs engage in a fistfight during parliamentary proceedings?

<p>WION Exclusive: Dramatic visuals emerged from Maldives parliament on Sunday (Jan 28) after the ruling alliance's lawmakers disrupted parliamentary proceedings ahead of a key vote crucial for the functioning of President Muizzu's government.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Dramatic visuals from Maldives Parliament as opposition MPs are prevented from entering Parliament floor ahead of Parliamentary approval of Muizzu's Cabinet. <a href="https://t.co/mVc6TT1yp4">pic.twitter.com/mVc6TT1yp4</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1751560840384553352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The visuals, exclusively accessed by WION, showed lawmakers engaged in a fierce altercation. The government's lawmakers of the&nbsp;Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and President Mohamed Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) disrupted the proceeding over parliament and the speaker's functioning.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Watch: Maldives Parliament witnesses physical altercation after Government MPs (PPM/PNC party) disrupt proceeding over Parliament &amp; Speakers' functioning. Key vote was to take place today over Parliamentary approval for the Muizzu cabinet.<br />
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Exclusive video from inside: <a href="https://t.co/FwWj80uuyL">pic.twitter.com/FwWj80uuyL</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1751559039773974748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Notably, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's&nbsp;Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is in control of the parliament and the ruling PPM-PNC does not have a parliamentary majority.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Maldives parliament scuffle: Why session was extraordinary?</strong></h2>

<p>A special session was called to get the approval of the parliament for the ministers in President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Watch: More videos emerge from the Maldives Parliament as Govt MPs disrupt Parliament proceedings. <a href="https://t.co/Zt1zlnuyS3">pic.twitter.com/Zt1zlnuyS3</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1751560413744173124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Of the 22 names, the 18 named managed to get parliamentary approval to continue as cabinet ministers while four names were not approved. Consequently, the lawmakers from the ruling PPM-PNC alliance stopped the parliament's functioning and a fierce altercation ensued.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ugly fighting scenes unfold In Maldives Parliament as ruling party MPs disrupt speaker<a href="https://twitter.com/AnanyaDutta97?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnanyaDutta97</a> joined by <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sidhant</a> for more details <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maldives</a><br />
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Watch more at <a href="https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J">https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J</a> <a href="https://t.co/l5y2c2gsrW">pic.twitter.com/l5y2c2gsrW</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1751587463892807816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Subsequently. the microphones installed in the parliament were&nbsp;taken away to prevent their potential use amid&nbsp;the physical altercation between the lawmakers.</p>


WION Exclusive: Dramatic visuals emerged from Maldives parliament on Sunday (Jan 28) after the ruling alliance's lawmakers disrupted parliamentary proceedings ahead of a key vote crucial for the functioning of President Muizzu's government.

WION Exclusive: Dramatic visuals emerged from Maldives parliament on Sunday (Jan 28) after the ruling alliance's lawmakers disrupted parliamentary proceedings ahead of a key vote crucial for the functioning of President Muizzu's government. #WATCH | Dramatic visuals from Maldives Parliament as opposition MPs are prevented from entering Parliament floor ahead of Parliamentary approval of Muizzu's Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/mVc6TT1yp4 — WION (@WIONews) January 28, 2024 × The visuals, exclusively accessed by WION, showed lawmakers engaged in a fierce altercation. The government's lawmakers of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and President Mohamed Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) disrupted the proceeding over parliament and the speaker's functioning. Watch: Maldives Parliament witnesses physical altercation after Government MPs (PPM/PNC party) disrupt proceeding over Parliament & Speakers' functioning. Key vote was to take place today over Parliamentary approval for the Muizzu cabinet. Exclusive video from inside: pic.twitter.com/FwWj80uuyL — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 28, 2024 × Notably, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is in control of the parliament and the ruling PPM-PNC does not have a parliamentary majority. Maldives parliament scuffle: Why session was extraordinary? A special session was called to get the approval of the parliament for the ministers in President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet. Watch: More videos emerge from the Maldives Parliament as Govt MPs disrupt Parliament proceedings. pic.twitter.com/Zt1zlnuyS3 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 28, 2024 × Of the 22 names, the 18 named managed to get parliamentary approval to continue as cabinet ministers while four names were not approved. Consequently, the lawmakers from the ruling PPM-PNC alliance stopped the parliament's functioning and a fierce altercation ensued. Ugly fighting scenes unfold In Maldives Parliament as ruling party MPs disrupt speaker@AnanyaDutta97 joined by @Sidhant for more details #Maldives Watch more at https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J pic.twitter.com/l5y2c2gsrW — WION (@WIONews) January 28, 2024 × Subsequently. the microphones installed in the parliament were taken away to prevent their potential use amid the physical altercation between the lawmakers.

Video | Maldives: Lawmakers indulge in scuffle ahead of key parliamentary vote

<p>Days after Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir issue inside the Maldives Parliament, a similar incident took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This time too the incident drew a strong reaction from the Indian delegates present. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir at a UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian Conference on Children Right’s Convention in Colombo, drawing a strong reaction from the Indian representative Gaurav Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Kaliabor, Assam. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Reminding Pakistan that ''Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and as stakeholders in Indian democracy", Gogoi said Pakistan has own things to deal on such as "human rights, the plight of minorities and legislation such as the blasphemy law."</p>

<p>On Sunday, at a forum on sustainable development goal in Maldives Parliament, Pakistani delegates raised Kashmir even as hapless speaker of Maldivian Parliament Mohamed Nasheed's effort to bring the situation under control in vain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maldives Parliament was hosting the fourth South Asian speakers summit on achieving the sustainable development goal with India being represented by Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Pakistan delegation was led by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri and Senator Qurat ul Ain Marri.</p>


Days after Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir issue inside the Maldives Parliament, a similar incident took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This time too the incident drew a strong reaction from the Indian delegates present.

Days after Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir issue inside the Maldives Parliament, a similar incident took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This time too the incident drew a strong reaction from the Indian delegates present. The Pakistan delegates raised Kashmir at a UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian Conference on Children Right’s Convention in Colombo, drawing a strong reaction from the Indian representative Gaurav Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Kaliabor, Assam. Reminding Pakistan that ''Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and as stakeholders in Indian democracy", Gogoi said Pakistan has own things to deal on such as "human rights, the plight of minorities and legislation such as the blasphemy law." On Sunday, at a forum on sustainable development goal in Maldives Parliament, Pakistani delegates raised Kashmir even as hapless speaker of Maldivian Parliament Mohamed Nasheed's effort to bring the situation under control in vain. Maldives Parliament was hosting the fourth South Asian speakers summit on achieving the sustainable development goal with India being represented by Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Pakistan delegation was led by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri and Senator Qurat ul Ain Marri.

After Maldives, Pakistan raises Kashmir in another international forum in Colombo 

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing Parliament of Maldives - People's Majlis - during his visit to the country from June 7 to 8.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This will be his first foreign visit after assuming office for the second term.</p>

<p>In a tweet, Maldives' Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said, "Maldives Parliament has unanimously passed a resolution to invite PM Narendra&nbsp;modi to address a sitting of the house during his upcoming visit to the Maldives."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maldives</a> Parliament has unanimously passed a resolution to invite PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> to address a sitting of the house during his upcoming visit to the Maldives.</p>
— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1133664222284603392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Majlis took up the matter on Wednesday and motion was passed with consensus. As a part of a process, if any foreign leader addresses the country's parliament, it has to be approved by the MPs.<br />
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Former High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Rajeev Shahare speaking to WION on the visit said, "PM Modi’s upcoming visit to the Maldives, his first overseas visit after re-affirmation of a robust mandate in the recent polls, is a strong reiteration of his “neighbourhood-first” policy."</p>

<p>He explained, "Given Maldivian President Ibu Solih’s favourable disposition towards India with his “India-first” policy and India’s desire to intensify and deepen its engagement with the Maldives, the visit is likely to open a new chapter in our bilateral relations."</p>

<p>Bhutan was the first foreign country he visited in the first term after taking charge as Prime Minister in 2014. During that visit, he addressed the joint session of Parliament.</p>

<p>The last Indian Prime Minister to address the Maldives' Parliament was Manmohan Singh in 2011. He was then the first head of the government to address the 'People's Majlis'.</p>

<p>Last six months have seen a number of high-level visits between the two countries. PM Modi had visited the island country during the oath-taking ceremony of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. This visit was followed by visits by Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid &amp; President Solih.</p>

<p>In March this year, Sushma Swaraj, the minister of external affairs under the Modi government's first term, visited the country in which India announced 100 million rufiyaa grant.</p>

<p>Under the 100 million rufiyaa grant, two&nbsp;new projects, financial support to establish Emergency Medical Services and construction of classrooms were announced on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The Maldives is a key country in the Indian Ocean region and lies in the heart of busy shipping lanes connecting Africa with Asia. The previous administration under President Yameen had junked the "India first" policy for a pro-china policy.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing Parliament of Maldives - People's Majlis - during his visit to the country from June 7 to 8. This will be his first foreign visit after assuming office for the second term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing Parliament of Maldives - People's Majlis - during his visit to the country from June 7 to 8. This will be his first foreign visit after assuming office for the second term. In a tweet, Maldives' Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said, "Maldives Parliament has unanimously passed a resolution to invite PM Narendra modi to address a sitting of the house during his upcoming visit to the Maldives." #Maldives Parliament has unanimously passed a resolution to invite PM @narendramodi to address a sitting of the house during his upcoming visit to the Maldives. — Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) May 29, 2019 × The Majlis took up the matter on Wednesday and motion was passed with consensus. As a part of a process, if any foreign leader addresses the country's parliament, it has to be approved by the MPs. Former High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Rajeev Shahare speaking to WION on the visit said, "PM Modi’s upcoming visit to the Maldives, his first overseas visit after re-affirmation of a robust mandate in the recent polls, is a strong reiteration of his “neighbourhood-first” policy." He explained, "Given Maldivian President Ibu Solih’s favourable disposition towards India with his “India-first” policy and India’s desire to intensify and deepen its engagement with the Maldives, the visit is likely to open a new chapter in our bilateral relations." Bhutan was the first foreign country he visited in the first term after taking charge as Prime Minister in 2014. During that visit, he addressed the joint session of Parliament. The last Indian Prime Minister to address the Maldives' Parliament was Manmohan Singh in 2011. He was then the first head of the government to address the 'People's Majlis'. Last six months have seen a number of high-level visits between the two countries. PM Modi had visited the island country during the oath-taking ceremony of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. This visit was followed by visits by Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid & President Solih. In March this year, Sushma Swaraj, the minister of external affairs under the Modi government's first term, visited the country in which India announced 100 million rufiyaa grant. Under the 100 million rufiyaa grant, two new projects, financial support to establish Emergency Medical Services and construction of classrooms were announced on Wednesday. The Maldives is a key country in the Indian Ocean region and lies in the heart of busy shipping lanes connecting Africa with Asia. The previous administration under President Yameen had junked the "India first" policy for a pro-china policy.

PM Narendra Modi to address Maldives Parliament

<p>The Maldives has cancelled a 2015 law that allowed foreigners to own land in the tropical islands, a move the government said addressed concerns about potential loss of sovereignty.</p>

<p>Maldives, located near busy shipping lanes, has been drawn into a regional contest for influence after China stepped up infrastructure development, prompting pushback from India, its traditional partner.</p>

<p>In 2015, the parliament controlled by supporters of former president Abdullah Yameen changed the land ownership laws to allow the government to sell land to foreigners ready to invest over $1 billion, so long it was reclaimed from the sea.</p>

<p>No land was actually sold to any foreigner since the law came into effect four years ago.</p>

<p>The move by the pro-China Yameen stoked concern that foreign powers could use such land for military purposes and this week the Maldives parliament moved to repeal the law in line with a campaign promise by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who took power last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Land is one of the most valuable resources we Maldivians have and obviously it is limited. It is intrinsically connected to our identity and it is difficult for many to see that identity sold off just like any other commodity," presidential spokesman Ibrahim Hood said on Wednesday.</p>

<p>"The president understands this connection and these sentiments which is why he had pledged to reverse that particular constitutional amendment, Hood said.</p>

<p>Since it assumed office, Solih`s administration has sought to rebalance ties with the regional heavyweights China and India. The government has pledged to investigate some of the major deals struck with China by its predecessor and is also trying to determine its financial debt to Beijing.</p>

<p>With the cancellation of the foreign ownership rules, the Maldives reverts to the old law under which land can only be leased to foreigners for 99 years.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia was also interested in investing in the islands, said Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, a spokesman of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.</p>


The Maldives has cancelled a 2015 law that allowed foreigners to own land in the tropical islands, a move the government said addressed concerns about potential loss of sovereignty.

The Maldives has cancelled a 2015 law that allowed foreigners to own land in the tropical islands, a move the government said addressed concerns about potential loss of sovereignty. Maldives, located near busy shipping lanes, has been drawn into a regional contest for influence after China stepped up infrastructure development, prompting pushback from India, its traditional partner. In 2015, the parliament controlled by supporters of former president Abdullah Yameen changed the land ownership laws to allow the government to sell land to foreigners ready to invest over $1 billion, so long it was reclaimed from the sea. No land was actually sold to any foreigner since the law came into effect four years ago. The move by the pro-China Yameen stoked concern that foreign powers could use such land for military purposes and this week the Maldives parliament moved to repeal the law in line with a campaign promise by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who took power last year. "Land is one of the most valuable resources we Maldivians have and obviously it is limited. It is intrinsically connected to our identity and it is difficult for many to see that identity sold off just like any other commodity," presidential spokesman Ibrahim Hood said on Wednesday. "The president understands this connection and these sentiments which is why he had pledged to reverse that particular constitutional amendment, Hood said. Since it assumed office, Solih`s administration has sought to rebalance ties with the regional heavyweights China and India. The government has pledged to investigate some of the major deals struck with China by its predecessor and is also trying to determine its financial debt to Beijing. With the cancellation of the foreign ownership rules, the Maldives reverts to the old law under which land can only be leased to foreigners for 99 years. Saudi Arabia was also interested in investing in the islands, said Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, a spokesman of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.

Maldives parliament repeals law allowing foreign land ownership

<p>Maldives capital Male continues to remain tense, with the opposition and general public unrelentingly asking President Yameen to step down and allow a new leadership to take charge.</p>

<p>The opposition, media and others have confirmed that there is a heavy army and police presence at all key locations, including the Parliament and the Supreme Court, and that judges continue to remain in fear about their safety as long as President Yameen stays in office.</p>

<p>Rumours abound that the army and paramilitary forces could enter the Supreme Court premises during the course of the day and take the judges into their custody on the orders of the president.</p>

<p>In his defense, President Yameen had written letters to Chief Justice asking him to revoke his orders. The government has reportedly received information that the Supreme Court may issue orders to arrest President Yameen soon.</p>

<p>The people of Maldives, including the opposition leadership, are insisting that President Yameen resigns for not following the apex court&#39;s orders. They feel he is corrupt, perpetrating misrule and is guilty of committing human rights abuses. Yameen, however, has denied these charges.</p>

<p>The President denies the allegations.</p>

<p>Eva Abdulla, a Member of Parliament told ANI, &quot;He&#39;d eventually have to capitulate, yes. Or resign&quot;.</p>

<p>When ANI asked Ahmed Mahloof, spokesperson of the Joint Opposition, as to whether President Yameen would abide by the court&#39;s orders, he said, &quot;he won&#39;t&quot;.</p>

<p>Two Members of Parliament Abdullah Sinan and Ahmed Ilham were detained on Sunday, produced before a criminal court on Monday, and thereafter released.</p>

<p>The duo were among the dozen former government lawmakers disqualified by the country&#39;s electoral watchdog over the Supreme Court&#39;s anti-defection ruling.</p>

<p>The reinstatement of the disqualified Members of Parliament, if achieved, would allow the opposition to claim that it is in the majority, and therefore, have the right to form the government post President Yameen&#39;s exit from office.</p>


The opposition, media and others have confirmed that there is a heavy army and police presence at all key locations, including the Parliament and the Supreme Court

Maldives capital Male continues to remain tense, with the opposition and general public unrelentingly asking President Yameen to step down and allow a new leadership to take charge. The opposition, media and others have confirmed that there is a heavy army and police presence at all key locations, including the Parliament and the Supreme Court, and that judges continue to remain in fear about their safety as long as President Yameen stays in office. Rumours abound that the army and paramilitary forces could enter the Supreme Court premises during the course of the day and take the judges into their custody on the orders of the president. In his defense, President Yameen had written letters to Chief Justice asking him to revoke his orders. The government has reportedly received information that the Supreme Court may issue orders to arrest President Yameen soon. The people of Maldives, including the opposition leadership, are insisting that President Yameen resigns for not following the apex court's orders. They feel he is corrupt, perpetrating misrule and is guilty of committing human rights abuses. Yameen, however, has denied these charges. The President denies the allegations. Eva Abdulla, a Member of Parliament told ANI, "He'd eventually have to capitulate, yes. Or resign". When ANI asked Ahmed Mahloof, spokesperson of the Joint Opposition, as to whether President Yameen would abide by the court's orders, he said, "he won't". Two Members of Parliament Abdullah Sinan and Ahmed Ilham were detained on Sunday, produced before a criminal court on Monday, and thereafter released. The duo were among the dozen former government lawmakers disqualified by the country's electoral watchdog over the Supreme Court's anti-defection ruling. The reinstatement of the disqualified Members of Parliament, if achieved, would allow the opposition to claim that it is in the majority, and therefore, have the right to form the government post President Yameen's exit from office.

Political crisis in Maldives continues, demand for President's resignation grows

<p>Maldivian authorities Saturday announced an indefinite <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-opposition-fears-government-scuttling-prisoner-release-31664" target="_blank">postponement of parliament </a>as President Abdulla Yameen`s regime resisted international pressure to comply with a landmark Supreme Court order to free political prisoners.</p>

<p>The People`s Majlis, or parliament, told local reporters in a brief message that the assembly will not have its scheduled sessions on Monday &quot;due to security reasons&quot;.</p>

<p>No fresh date was given for the sessions.</p>

<p>The move followed a shock order Thursday by the country`s Supreme Court to release nine political dissidents. It also restored the seats of 12 legislators who had been sacked for defecting from Yameen`s party.</p>

<p>The reinstatement of the dozen legislators has given the opposition a majority in the 85-member assembly, and it can now potentially impeach Yameen as well as his cabinet.</p>

<p>The beleaguered president announced Saturday that he sacked police chief Ahmed Saudhee, who was appointed just two days ago. His predecessor Ahmed Areef was fired on Thursday, shortly after he said he will honour the court`s decision.</p>

<p>The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said Yameen was yet to release any political prisoners.</p>

<p>&quot;Although Yameen has said he will abide by the ruling, he is yet to comply with the order delivered more than 36 hours ago,&quot; Colombo-based MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said on Saturday morning.</p>

<p>The court had said that cases against the nine dissidents, including MDP leader and former president Mohamed Nasheed, were politically motivated and asked the government to release them immediately.</p>

<p>In a statement issued overnight, the joint opposition, which includes Nasheed`s MDP, said there were concerns the regime would ignore the ruling and that it would trigger further unrest in the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims.</p>

<p>&quot; We are deeply fearful that the government`s refusal to implement the Supreme Court order could escalate to unrest and incite violence across the country,&quot; the opposition said.</p>

<p>Nasheed, the country`s first democratically-elected president, has urged the government to respect the top court`s decision.</p>

<p>The United Nations, Australia, Britain, Canada, India and the United States welcomed the court`s decision as a move towards restoring democracy in the politically troubled Indian Ocean nation.</p>

<p>Earlier, Nasheed had said the ruling cleared the way for him to return to the Maldives and contest elections due later this year.</p>

<p>&quot;I can contest and will contest,&quot; he told AFP in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.</p>

<p>For its part, the Maldivian government said Friday that it had concerns about releasing those convicted for &quot;terrorism, corruption, embezzlement, and treason&quot;.</p>

<p>Nasheed was barred from contesting any election in the Maldives after a controversial 2015 terrorism conviction internationally criticised as politically motivated.</p>

<p>The Maldives` popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise has been severely damaged by a major crackdown on dissent under Yameen, who has overseen the jailing of almost all his political opponents.</p>

<p>The opposition said there were sporadic clashes Friday night between anti-government activists and the police in the Maldives.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Maldivian authorities Saturday announced an indefinite postponement of parliament as President Abdulla Yameen`s regime resisted international pressure to comply with a landmark Supreme Court order to free political prisoners

Maldivian authorities Saturday announced an indefinite postponement of parliament as President Abdulla Yameen`s regime resisted international pressure to comply with a landmark Supreme Court order to free political prisoners. The People`s Majlis, or parliament, told local reporters in a brief message that the assembly will not have its scheduled sessions on Monday "due to security reasons". No fresh date was given for the sessions. The move followed a shock order Thursday by the country`s Supreme Court to release nine political dissidents. It also restored the seats of 12 legislators who had been sacked for defecting from Yameen`s party. The reinstatement of the dozen legislators has given the opposition a majority in the 85-member assembly, and it can now potentially impeach Yameen as well as his cabinet. The beleaguered president announced Saturday that he sacked police chief Ahmed Saudhee, who was appointed just two days ago. His predecessor Ahmed Areef was fired on Thursday, shortly after he said he will honour the court`s decision. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said Yameen was yet to release any political prisoners. "Although Yameen has said he will abide by the ruling, he is yet to comply with the order delivered more than 36 hours ago," Colombo-based MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said on Saturday morning. The court had said that cases against the nine dissidents, including MDP leader and former president Mohamed Nasheed, were politically motivated and asked the government to release them immediately. In a statement issued overnight, the joint opposition, which includes Nasheed`s MDP, said there were concerns the regime would ignore the ruling and that it would trigger further unrest in the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims. " We are deeply fearful that the government`s refusal to implement the Supreme Court order could escalate to unrest and incite violence across the country," the opposition said. Nasheed, the country`s first democratically-elected president, has urged the government to respect the top court`s decision. The United Nations, Australia, Britain, Canada, India and the United States welcomed the court`s decision as a move towards restoring democracy in the politically troubled Indian Ocean nation. Earlier, Nasheed had said the ruling cleared the way for him to return to the Maldives and contest elections due later this year. "I can contest and will contest," he told AFP in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo. For its part, the Maldivian government said Friday that it had concerns about releasing those convicted for "terrorism, corruption, embezzlement, and treason". Nasheed was barred from contesting any election in the Maldives after a controversial 2015 terrorism conviction internationally criticised as politically motivated. The Maldives` popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise has been severely damaged by a major crackdown on dissent under Yameen, who has overseen the jailing of almost all his political opponents. The opposition said there were sporadic clashes Friday night between anti-government activists and the police in the Maldives.

Maldives shuts parliament, resists order to free dissidents

<p>Maldives military on Monday took over the country&#39;s Parliament on the orders of the President and barred lawmakers from entering the building in a bid to stop the impeachment of Speaker and the President&#39;s close ally Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed&nbsp;over allegations of corruption, mismanagement and rights abuses.</p>

<p>The no-confidence motion against the Speaker, supported by 45 of the Parliament&#39;s 85 lawmakers as per the Opposition, was to be taken up today.&nbsp;The Opposition accuses the Speaker of blocking its requests to summon government officials accused of corruption.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party was quoted as saying that the gates of the parliament were padlocked by members of the armed forces on the orders of President Yameen and lawmakers were forcibly prevented from entering parliament building.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&quot;Military with special operations police have stormed the Parliament, they are inside,&quot;&nbsp;MP Eva told Raajje TV.<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">LIVE: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash">#Maldives</a> Parliament House - MPs being removed from the premises forcefully by the military &amp; police <a href="https://t.co/zu3xtUuXz8">pic.twitter.com/zu3xtUuXz8</a></p>
&mdash; RaajjeTV (@Raajje_tv) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raajje_tv/status/889418009571282945">July 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Special Operations police officers in riot gear entered the Parliament in order to remove the MPs who had entered the building. Members of Parliament who entered the Parliament House were attacked with pepper spray by the police, media reports said, adding it wasn&#39;t clear on whose order the attack was carried out.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RTVLive?src=hash">#RTVLive</a>: Police have indiscriminately used pepper spray on parliamentarians and journalists inside the parliament premises | <a href="https://twitter.com/Raajje_tv">@Raajje_tv</a></p>
&mdash; Raajjemv English (@RaajjeEnglish) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaajjeEnglish/status/889421133056847872">July 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
On July 4, the Maldives President lost his majority in parliament after opposition lawmakers defected and launched a new attempt to unseat the Speaker.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ten lawmakers from the president&#39;s own party joined opposition lawmakers in launching the impeachment against the Speaker.</p>

<p>The 10 defections saw Yameen lose his 48-seat majority in the 85-seat parliament, with a four-party opposition coalition now holding 45 seats.</p>

<p>On July 21, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen&#39;s nephew was arrested amid a power struggle in the troubled honeymoon islands.</p>

<p>In March, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed survived a bid to impeach him amid chaotic scenes in the parliament.<br />
<br />
President Yameen, who plans to run for a second five-year term in 2018, has repeatedly been accused by allegations of corruption and undemocratic behaviour.</p>

<p>His administration has arrested most of the opponents who might challenge him in 2018, and his government denies the opposition&#39;s allegations that his administration is trying to cover up the charges of corruption.</p>

<p>The first democratically elected leader of the Maldives, Nasheed, was ousted in 2012 and subsequently sentenced to 13 years in jail on terrorism charges after a widely denounced trial.</p>

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<p>Riot police and soldiers entered the parliament on Monday and dragged the opposition lawmakers out of the Parliament premises (WION)</p>
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Members of Parliament who entered the Parliament House were attacked with pepper spray by the police.

Maldives military on Monday took over the country's Parliament on the orders of the President and barred lawmakers from entering the building in a bid to stop the impeachment of Speaker and the President's close ally Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed over allegations of corruption, mismanagement and rights abuses. The no-confidence motion against the Speaker, supported by 45 of the Parliament's 85 lawmakers as per the Opposition, was to be taken up today. The Opposition accuses the Speaker of blocking its requests to summon government officials accused of corruption. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party was quoted as saying that the gates of the parliament were padlocked by members of the armed forces on the orders of President Yameen and lawmakers were forcibly prevented from entering parliament building. "Military with special operations police have stormed the Parliament, they are inside," MP Eva told Raajje TV. LIVE: #Maldives Parliament House - MPs being removed from the premises forcefully by the military & police pic.twitter.com/zu3xtUuXz8 — RaajjeTV (@Raajje_tv) July 24, 2017 × Special Operations police officers in riot gear entered the Parliament in order to remove the MPs who had entered the building. Members of Parliament who entered the Parliament House were attacked with pepper spray by the police, media reports said, adding it wasn't clear on whose order the attack was carried out. #RTVLive: Police have indiscriminately used pepper spray on parliamentarians and journalists inside the parliament premises | @Raajje_tv — Raajjemv English (@RaajjeEnglish) July 24, 2017 × On July 4, the Maldives President lost his majority in parliament after opposition lawmakers defected and launched a new attempt to unseat the Speaker. Ten lawmakers from the president's own party joined opposition lawmakers in launching the impeachment against the Speaker. The 10 defections saw Yameen lose his 48-seat majority in the 85-seat parliament, with a four-party opposition coalition now holding 45 seats. On July 21, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen's nephew was arrested amid a power struggle in the troubled honeymoon islands. In March, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed survived a bid to impeach him amid chaotic scenes in the parliament. President Yameen, who plans to run for a second five-year term in 2018, has repeatedly been accused by allegations of corruption and undemocratic behaviour. His administration has arrested most of the opponents who might challenge him in 2018, and his government denies the opposition's allegations that his administration is trying to cover up the charges of corruption. The first democratically elected leader of the Maldives, Nasheed, was ousted in 2012 and subsequently sentenced to 13 years in jail on terrorism charges after a widely denounced trial. Riot police and soldiers entered the parliament on Monday and dragged the opposition lawmakers out of the Parliament premises (WION) ×

Maldives: Military takes over Parliament to stop Speaker's impeachment

Maldives&#39; new law will criminalise free speech on vague grounds and is a &quot;direct attack&quot; on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the country, a top UN human rights expert has said.<br />
<br />
&quot;Criminalising speech on such vague and broad grounds as set out in the Bill is a direct attack on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the Maldives,&quot; said David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.<br />
<br />
Kaye said elements of the bill, such as the vague use of religion, social norms and defamation as reasons for punishing expression, contradict not only international norms, but also obligations set out in the country&#39;s own Constitution.<br />
<br />
&quot;Freedom of expression is a fundamental right and any restrictions on it must be narrowly and objectively defined, not a matter of common routine,&quot; he said in a statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.<br />
<br />
This week, the Maldive&#39;s Parliament adopted the &quot;Protection of Reputation and Good Name and Freedom of Expression Bill,&quot; which criminalises speech deemed to be defamatory, to comment against &quot;any tenet of Islam&quot;, to &quot;threaten national security&quot; or to &quot;contradict general social norms&quot;.<br />
<br />
Those committing an offence under the bill can face fines, and failure to pay, will result in jail sentence of three to six months.<br />
<br />
Kaye said that the broad grounds for restrictions in the Bill contradict not only international human rights standards recognised by the Maldives, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but also the its own Constitution, which protects the right to freedom of expression.<br />
<br />
&quot;The use of religion as a ground for limiting free speech is particularly worrying,&quot; he said, emphasising that international human rights law protects individuals from discrimination and violence based on their religion or belief, but it does not protect religion or belief from comment or criticism as such.<br />
<br />
Kaye also said the Bill will have a &quot;strong chilling effect&quot; on media and civil society, making reporting and criticism truly risky.<br />
<br />
&quot;The threat of additional penalties for the media are likely to lead to even greater self-censorship on issues perceived to be sensitive, limiting public debate on issues of public interest and depriving society from accessing important information on sensitive affairs,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
Noting that he would be eager to engage in discussion with the Maldivian authorities on the law, the rights expert expressed hope that the President will reverse the decision by sending back the bill to Parliament for further review in consultation with independent institutions, journalists, civil society organisations and human rights defenders and bring it in compliance with international human rights standards.<br />
<br />
UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Maina Kiai and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Michel Forst also shared the concerns expressed by Kaye.<br />
<br />
They had also co-signed a letter to the national authorities detailing their concerns about the legislation on May 26.<br />
<br />
(PTI)

The law, passed in the Maldives criminalises defamatory actions deemed to be against 'any tenet of Islam'

Maldives' new law will criminalise free speech on vague grounds and is a "direct attack" on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the country, a top UN human rights expert has said. "Criminalising speech on such vague and broad grounds as set out in the Bill is a direct attack on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the Maldives," said David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Kaye said elements of the bill, such as the vague use of religion, social norms and defamation as reasons for punishing expression, contradict not only international norms, but also obligations set out in the country's own Constitution. "Freedom of expression is a fundamental right and any restrictions on it must be narrowly and objectively defined, not a matter of common routine," he said in a statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. This week, the Maldive's Parliament adopted the "Protection of Reputation and Good Name and Freedom of Expression Bill," which criminalises speech deemed to be defamatory, to comment against "any tenet of Islam", to "threaten national security" or to "contradict general social norms". Those committing an offence under the bill can face fines, and failure to pay, will result in jail sentence of three to six months. Kaye said that the broad grounds for restrictions in the Bill contradict not only international human rights standards recognised by the Maldives, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but also the its own Constitution, which protects the right to freedom of expression. "The use of religion as a ground for limiting free speech is particularly worrying," he said, emphasising that international human rights law protects individuals from discrimination and violence based on their religion or belief, but it does not protect religion or belief from comment or criticism as such. Kaye also said the Bill will have a "strong chilling effect" on media and civil society, making reporting and criticism truly risky. "The threat of additional penalties for the media are likely to lead to even greater self-censorship on issues perceived to be sensitive, limiting public debate on issues of public interest and depriving society from accessing important information on sensitive affairs," he said. Noting that he would be eager to engage in discussion with the Maldivian authorities on the law, the rights expert expressed hope that the President will reverse the decision by sending back the bill to Parliament for further review in consultation with independent institutions, journalists, civil society organisations and human rights defenders and bring it in compliance with international human rights standards. UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Maina Kiai and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Michel Forst also shared the concerns expressed by Kaye. They had also co-signed a letter to the national authorities detailing their concerns about the legislation on May 26. (PTI)

New law 'direct attack' on freedom of expression in Maldives: UN

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