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 ]

(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 ]

(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 ]

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 ]

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 ]

(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 ]

(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 ]

(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 ]

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 ]

(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 ]