Fishermen’s protest detainees released

All individuals arrested during the protest organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) or the yellowfin tuna fishermen’s union, which called on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to fulfill his pledges to yellowfin tuna fishermen, have now been released.

The protest began on December 10, coinciding with National Fishermen’s Day. 49 vessels took part in the demonstration, departing from the Hulhumalé Kanneli Jetty and heading toward Malé that afternoon. While the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Service (MPS) blocked the Malé channels, the boats remained anchored offshore that night, beyond Malé’s Number 1 Jetty. On December 11, however, the protest was forcibly dispersed, and several arrests were made without a court order, with police boarding the vessels.

Those arrested during the operation included Mauroof Zaki, Secretary-General of BKMU and MP for Kendhoo constituency; Mohamed Sodiq, Vice President of the Tourism Employees Association; and two vessel captains, Mohamed Musthafa and Abdul Latheef Ahmed. Basheer Miya, Riyazuddeen, Golam Sarowar, and Mohamed Mitoo were taken into immigration custody, as they are foreign nationals employed on the boats.

Following the arrests, international organizations, including the United Nations, other international actors, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, and several political figures publicly called for the release of those detained.

In a press statement issued after the detainees were freed, BKMU asserted that the outcome was the result of collective efforts by its members to secure justice and demand the fishermen’s release. The union stated that despite attempts to intimidate and pressure protest participants, its members refused to remain silent. It said this response demonstrated the strength workers have to defend their rights when they act together and reaffirmed its commitment to continue advocating for fishermen’s rights in the future.

The union staged the peaceful protest beginning on December 10 this year to mark Fishermen’s Day. The demonstration called on the current government to honor its commitments to yellowfin tuna fishermen and centered on three specific demands: that the government’s fishing company, MIFCO, begin purchasing yellowfin tuna in line with the government’s manifesto; that the minimum purchase price for tuna be set between MVR 80 and MVR 100; and that fishermen be provided fuel and ice at subsidized rates.