From Our Member the Maldivian Democracy Network, The Maldives – Press Release
10 October 2019 11:28 am
PRESS RELEASE 9 October 2019 The Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) was established in response to the mass arrest of approximately 300 people on 12 and 13 August 2004, to assist the families of those who were arbitrarily detained and tortured. Since MDN’s inception, this organisation works on issues of public concern, in light of its [ Read more ]
The Maldives: Ensure safety of human rights defenders amid recent accusations of blasphemy against Maldivian Democracy Network
8 October 2019 3:49 pm
(Bangkok, 8 October 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASA), together with undersigned civil society organisations, condemns the persecution of its member, the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN), and expresses great concern about what potential consequences the recent accusations of blasphemy could have for the staff and members of MDN. Rather than [ Read more ]
Maldives – Authorities must take swift action following recent findings related to the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan
12 September 2019 1:52 pm
(Bangkok/Kathmandu/Malé, 12 September 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and its member from the Maldives, the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) welcome the recently released report by the government appointed Presidential Commission on Deaths and Disappearances in the Maldives that reveals vital information on the disappearance of human rights defender, journalist [ Read more ]
Freedom of Expression under Threat – Perspectives from Media and Human Rights Defenders in Asia
25 July 2019 1:46 pm
As freedom of expression is being curtailed and civic space is shrinking across Asia, few groups are as much under pressure as the media and human rights defenders. Both are facing harassment, incarceration and even being killed in countries across the region. However, in most instances the two do not manage to overcome their differences [ Read more ]
‘The support of a NHRI in the work of women human rights defenders will provide a form of shelter and encouragement for women to engage in their areas of work, especially knowing that a redress mechanism and protection mechanism exist close to home.’ – Interview with Shahindha Ismail, Executive Director of the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN), a member of ANNI in the Maldives
20 May 2019 3:10 pm
For this e-newsletter, ANNI interviewed Shahindha Ismail, who is the founder and current Executive Director of the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN). MDN is a non-partisan NGO which aims to promote human rights and the values and principles of democracy in the Maldives. Shahindha is a human rights defender and is one of the few defenders [ Read more ]
The Maldives: Justice for Yameen Rasheed necessary to ensuring rights and freedoms in the Maldives
25 April 2019 6:43 pm
(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 25 April 2019) – Tuesday, 23 April 2019, marked two years since prominent human rights defender and writer, Yameen Rasheed, was brutally murdered in the Maldives. Two years on, no one has been held accountable for his killing. The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) remains deeply concerned by the continued impunity [ Read more ]
The Maldives: Ensure security for human rights defenders and stop online harassment
8 February 2019 2:23 pm
(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 8 February 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over continuous online threats and intimidation of human rights defenders and liberal thinkers of the Maldives by religious groups and politicians. The current wave of abuse against human rights defenders was triggered following criticism and expression of concern [ Read more ]
Maldives: New Government must restore democracy and ensure fundamental freedoms
21 November 2018 3:11 pm
(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 21 November 2018) – On 17 November 2018, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was sworn in as the new President of the Maldives, he had already formed a new Government after the General Elections of September 2018.[1] The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) welcomes the first steps new Government has taken in support [ Read more ]
HRC39 Oral Statement on Item 10: General Debate on technical assistance and capacity building (Maldives)
27 September 2018 5:48 pm
39th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 10: General Debate on technical assistance and capacity building Oral Statement Delivered by Ahmed Adam on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Thursday, 27 September, 2018 Mr. President. We acknowledge the outcome of the Presidential Election in Maldives and call on [ Read more ]
The Maldives: Stop crackdown on dissent and create a conducive environment for free and fair election
19 September 2018 5:53 pm
(Bangkok/ Kathmandu, 19 September 2018) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is gravely concerned about the ongoing crackdown on dissent and political opponents in the Maldives, ahead of the presidential election on 23 September 2018. FORUM-ASIA calls on the Maldivian authorities to enable a conducive environment for the free and fair [ Read more ]