MDP heads to NIC over police brutality against protesters

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Integrity Commission (NIC) regarding police brutality inflicted on journalists and members of the public during a protest outside the People’s Majlis building on Tuesday.

The demonstration was organized to oppose the "Maldives Media and Broadcast Regulation Bill," widely criticized as a government attempt to suppress independent media.

On the day of the protest, a significant number of journalists gathered peacefully near the People’s Majlis to voice their opposition to the bill, which threatens to undermine freedom of expression by controlling media outlets. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, police forces responded with excessive and disproportionate force to disperse the crowd.

Reports and evidence indicate that police officers subjected journalists and protesters to violent treatment, including forcibly arresting many participants. Numerous journalists suffered physical abuse, such as being pressed down with police officers’ knees on their heads, having their arms twisted, and their clothing torn. Some were left bleeding from injuries sustained during the crackdown.

MDP’s complaint to the NIC highlights these instances of police brutality, focusing initially on the case of Shah, a member of the MDP National Congress, who sustained serious injuries during the protest. Video evidence purportedly shows a police officer grabbing Shah’s face from behind and violently pulling it backward, a clear example of unwarranted and severe violence. While Shah’s case was prioritized, MDP plans to submit further complaints on behalf of other injured journalists and protestors in the coming days.

The party’s leadership has condemned the police’s violent response as a blatant violation of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The protest, conducted peacefully and with the clear intent of raising legitimate concerns about the bill, was met with unwarranted aggression. The most egregious act documented involved a police officer covering the mouth and nose of Shah, effectively denying him the basic human right to breathe.

Several journalists were forcibly arrested during the protest but were subsequently released following public outcry and mounting pressure. Despite attempts by police to push back protesters from parliament’s entrance, the demonstration persisted for approximately twelve hours.

The passing of the media bill occurred within the parliament chamber only after MDP lawmakers who were protesting inside were removed from the floor, underscoring the lack of transparency and democratic process surrounding the legislation.

Alongside the physical violence faced by journalists, many working against the bill have been subjected to death threats, intensifying concerns over the deteriorating environment for press freedom in the Maldives.

MDP’s complaint to NIC represents a critical step in holding authorities accountable for their brutal suppression of peaceful dissent and highlights the urgent need for protection of fundamental rights amid mounting government attempts to silence independent voices.