Arrests from fishermen's protest aimed at intimidating, silencing critics of gov’t policies: MDP
The Maldivian Democratic Party condemned the forcible dispersal of a peaceful fishermen's protest at sea near Malé and the arrest of MP Mauroof Zakir and several fishermen. The opposition party stated the arrests violated parliamentary privileges and constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly, calling for immediate release of all detainees while criticizing the government for breaking unfulfilled pledges to fishermen
A meeting of the MDP National Congress - 08.12.2025
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the country’s largest opposition party, has stated that the arrests made during the recent fishermen’s protest were intended to intimidate and silence those who criticize the government’s flawed policies.
In its statement, the party said the peaceful protest, organized by fishermen at sea in the Malé region to coincide with Fishermen's Day, was forcibly dispersed.
MDP has since condemned the arrests of MP for Kendhoo constituency Mauroof Zakir and several fishermen, noting that these actions obstructed the protest.
The opposition party added that the arrest of Mauroof Zakir violated the privileges granted to members of the People’s Majlis.
It stressed that freedom of expression and assembly are constitutional rights, making the arrests of the protesters unconstitutional.
MDP has called for the immediate release of all individuals detained during the protest. It also criticized the government for failing to deliver on its pledges to fishermen and condemned the police's actions in breaking up what it described as a peaceful demonstration against the government’s inconsistent policies.
