The Human Rights Commission of Maldives has raised alarm over a surge in inflammatory rhetoric during nighttime political gatherings in Malé, warning that such expressions risk inciting public unrest and undermining social cohesion.
In a press statement, the Commission said it had observed language used at recent rallies that violates accepted social norms and is being amplified through media platforms. According to the HRCM, some of these statements promote hostility among the public and could potentially trigger civil disturbances involving individuals linked to political groups.
The Commission reaffirmed that freedom of expression, protected under Article 27 of the Constitution of the Maldives, remains a fundamental right. However, it stressed that this right is not absolute and must be exercised within limits that respect the rights, dignity, and beliefs of others, particularly within the country’s Islamic framework.
Highlighting the legal boundaries of speech, the HRCM noted that any expression, whether delivered at rallies, through traditional media, or on social media, that incites hatred, disrupts public order, or encourages violence runs counter to constitutional principles. Such conduct, the Commission emphasized, contradicts the intended spirit of free expression guaranteed to Maldivian citizens.
The HRCM strongly condemned the use of rhetoric that promotes unrest and called on political parties and their leadership to immediately refrain from such actions. It also urged relevant state institutions to take firm measures within the law to address violations and prevent escalation.
At the same time, the Commission called on political actors to ensure their activities uphold human dignity and public interest, avoiding harm to individuals’ reputations or safety. It stressed the importance of maintaining peaceful political engagement, particularly in a highly visible urban setting like Malé.
The statement further urged state security forces to facilitate lawful political activities while ensuring adherence to regulations, reinforcing the need for cooperation between authorities and political groups.
Concluding its statement, the HRCM appealed to all parties to conduct political activities responsibly, emphasizing that safeguarding public peace and mutual respect remains essential to maintaining democratic stability in the Maldives.
