Government violating Civil and Political Rights: MDP

In a press statement by the party, MDP stated that it had submitted a report to the Human Rights Committee in Geneva, the expert body responsible for monitoring compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), pointing out that excessive force had been used on its supporters in their ‘Direct Action’ protests. MDP informs that dozens of people had suffered injuries, including MPs and journalists.

“Hundreds of pro-democracy supporters have taken peacefully to the streets in recent days, calling for early elections and the restoration of democracy. The police have responded violently, baton-charging demonstrators, using pepper spray and reportedly firing rubber bullets at unarmed protesters. Over hundred protesters have been arrested, with some accusing the police of abuse during arrest and detention. 

The police detained at least 2 women with special needs assistance on Wednesday and Thursday. Demonstrators were always within demonstrating area set by regulation when police violently dispersed the crowd,” the MDP statement reported.

MDP also reported some people being rushed to the hospital on Thursday night and early Friday morning and that one of them still remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under critical condition, however the media have been unable to confirmation the report through the police or through any other means.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) stated that no serious conditions had been reported to the police and that they are not aware of anyone being admitted in the ICU. Police also denied the allegations by MDP that the police have been using excessive force against their peaceful protesters, stating that the allegations were untrue and intended to create hatred among the people towards the institution.

The report by MDP also highlighted that MDP MP Mariya Ahmed Didi had been issued death threats on the social media network twitter and the several warnings given to RaajjeTV, which live telecasts all the MDP ‘Direct Action’ protests.

MDP spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said "The Government's delegation in Geneva is led by a Home Minister who has published pamphlets inciting religious hatred against Jews and Christians, pledged that President Nasheed will go to prison forever and has called for the reinstatement of the death penalty. Sending such a man to defend the Government in Geneva is symbolic of the Waheed government's total disdain for human rights,”

The statement criticized President Waheed and stated that the current government is violating the most basic democratic rights.