Last night, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu used his landmark two year anniversary rally to draw a definitive contrast between his leadership and the political climate of previous administrations, declaring that the Maldives is now experiencing the highest level of political freedom seen in modern history. Speaking to more than thirteen thousand citizens at Artificial Beach, the President said his government has upheld freedom of expression and freedom of assembly without intimidation, fear or politically motivated arrests.
The President reminded the public that he had promised an end to political revenge from the moment he took his oath in 2023. He told the audience that not a single person has been jailed for political views under his presidency and that such repression has no place in a nation seeking stability and democratic maturity. He said political differences are a natural part of democracy but must never be grounds for silencing or punishing citizens.
Under previous governments, political opponents, activists, council members and journalists frequently reported intimidation and targeted arrests. International watchdogs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented recurring concerns about selective enforcement of the law, pressure on dissenting voices and threats to peaceful assembly. President Muizzu said his administration has dismantled this climate of fear and restored a culture where citizens feel safe to speak and gather.
The President announced that the right to peaceful assembly has been expanded significantly. Instead of being confined to a single location, multiple public spaces in Malé have now been opened for gatherings without the need for prior approval. He added that anyone may gather at any time and express political views so long as they remain within the boundaries of Islamic values, which the overwhelming majority of Maldivians support.
While emphasising freedom, the President warned that no form of expression that violates Islamic principles or harms the dignity of others will be tolerated. He reminded the nation that freedom must coexist with moral responsibility and that Maldivians want a society that is peaceful, respectful and aligned with religious and cultural values. He said foreign organisations may pressure the Maldives to adopt practices that conflict with Islamic norms, but his government will uphold the wishes of Maldivian citizens above external influence.
President Muizzu also highlighted that eliminating the culture of political revenge is fundamental to creating true national stability. He said political leaders’ jail cells constructed in past years now sit empty because the government does not target opponents. He stated that public institutions must serve the country, not political agendas, and that the Maldives cannot move forward if state power is used as a weapon against dissent.
He stressed that freedom of expression must be equal for all sides, not a privilege granted only when convenient. He explained that a genuine democracy cannot pick and choose when freedom applies. For this reason, he said the government has taken deliberate steps to ensure that even critics of the administration can speak freely without risk of retaliation.
The President stated that protecting political freedom is not only a moral duty but also a strategic national priority. A nation where citizens speak without fear is a nation that attracts investment, fosters innovation and builds trust in institutions. He said the Maldives is transitioning into a stable democratic environment where political competition occurs through ideas and public service rather than intimidation.
Ending his remarks on the topic, he said the goal of his administration is to build a society where every Maldivian’s dignity is protected, where no one fears persecution for their views and where Islam remains the guiding foundation for civic life. He said true stability comes when freedom is exercised responsibly, upheld by justice and protected by leaders who put the nation first.
As the rally continued, supporters expressed confidence that political freedom has expanded significantly under this administration and welcomed the government’s commitment to safeguarding democratic rights while preserving Islamic values.
