Demands to gov’t renewed during youth protests

Young adults have once again taken to the streets to raise their voices, repeating their demands to the government in the ongoing series of protests calling for justice for 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who was found fallen from a high-rise building in the capital Malé City in the early hours of April 18.

Despite warnings from the Maldives Police Service (MPS), the youth continued their series of protests exercising their constitutional rights. After moving the protest to the Carnival area and raising their voices, the youth gathered near Henveiru Police Station on Majeedhee Magu on Friday night to voice their concerns.

After forcefully dispersing the protests held on Majeedhee Magu by the youth seeking justice for Yumnu, the police issued a statement saying that they will use legal force to disperse illegal gatherings, take legal action against organizers, and take all necessary measures to protect public interest.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has issued an announcement designating Carnival area, Rasfannu, Malé Industrial Zone, and Usfasgandu as areas where gatherings can be held in the capital city.

Under Article 32 of the Freedom of Assembly Act, everyone has the right to assemble peacefully without prior permission from the state.

These protests are demonstrations initiated by youth to seek justice, and the protesters have been voicing that one of the most important demands to the government is for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to apologize to the protesters.

In addition to this, they have demanded that the police conduct an independent investigation, arrest and prosecute all suspects linked to the case, stop lying and share accurate information about the incident, and investigate transparently without hiding in defense of the children of the wealthy.

They have also demanded a public apology from the police, an independent inquiry into how the police has been handling Yumnu’s case, the dismissal of all government officials involved including Dawood, the resignation of Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, and the resignation of Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan. These are among the ten demands made.

With the demand for the resignation of Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau, he has since resigned from his position.

Raud Ahmed Zilal, 21, suspected of being involved in the incident where 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed fell from the stairwell window on the ninth floor of H. Fentenoy, is in police custody.

Some parties claim that the police have not been investigating Yumnu's fall as a serious case. Yumnu's family has also informed the media that the police are not treating this as a serious matter. However, the police have denied the family’s claims.

To investigate Yumnu's fall, a "Special Presidential Commission" has also been established, with Dr. Munavvar appointed as the commission's president. Many people, including Yumnu's family, continue to express distrust in the commission as well.