In the wake of escalating political unrest in the Maldives, former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan has voiced strong opposition to the involvement of children in political disputes. This statement comes as false information circulates regarding the children of current President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during ongoing protests organized by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Dr. Waheed, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasized that involving children in political conflicts is unacceptable under any circumstances. He highlighted a concerning trend in Maldivian politics where attacks on the families of political figures have become commonplace, urging an immediate end to such practices.
It is unacceptable to drag children into political conflict. Attacking families of politicians have become part of the political culture for some time now. It’s time to stop it. I condemn the recent attack on the children of President@MMuizzu.
— Mohamed Waheed (@DrWaheedH) March 15, 2025
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the Election Commission (EC) have also condemned recent incidents during MDP protests in Malé City, where derogatory remarks were directed at a child, infringing upon their dignity. The HRCM stated that such behavior exceeds acceptable limits of free expression, especially when involving children, and called for preventive measures to avoid future occurrences. They emphasized that children are entitled to special protections under both the Constitution and the Child Rights Protection Act.
The EC echoed these sentiments, urging the MDP to conduct its political activities within the legal framework and reminding the party of its obligations under the Political Party Act and the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act. The commission condemned the unsubstantiated remarks made during the protest and called on political parties to ensure their activities do not harm the dignity or well-being of individuals, particularly children.
In response to the allegations against President Muizzu’s children, his family has decided to file lawsuits against three parties, refuting the false claims.
Reflecting on past political dynamics, Dr. Waheed himself faced harassment during his presidency from 2012 to 2013, particularly from MDP activists. Notably, in June 2020, he lodged a police report against an MDP activist for verbal harassment directed at him and his spouse. Although he later withdrew the report upon learning about the activist’s mental and physical trauma, the incident underscores the persistent challenges of personal attacks within Maldivian politics.
The collective condemnation from former leaders, governmental bodies, and the public highlights a unified stance against the politicization of children and the necessity for ethical conduct in political engagements.
