MP Shareef criticizes state institutions for silence over defamatory attacks against President!

North Hulhumale' MP Hussain Shareef has heavily criticized state institutions, alleging they have failed to take action against those who attack the honor and dignity of the President and other citizens by falsely labeling the President as a Jew or a Christian.

During Monday's parliamentary sitting, MP Shareef questioned the purpose of existing criminal procedure laws at a time when individuals' reputations are being systematically destroyed on social media through baseless rumors and unfounded allegations.

Referring to existing legislation, MP Shareef noted that current laws have already facilitated actions such as the freezing of assets belonging to a senior official of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), as well as the seizure of assets linked to the K-Park company.

Therefore, he stated that when drafting laws, the focus should not be narrowed down to pointing fingers at a single entity.

Furthermore, MP Shareef stated that within a system of separated powers, the responsibility of protecting the state rests upon the shoulders of all institutions across the judiciary and the executive branch. He also emphasized that safeguarding the dignity and reputation of individuals is far more important than the protection of property or any other considerations.

Referring to actions carried out on social media under the guise of freedom of expression, MP Shareef stated that individuals are assassinating the character of others and labeling the President as a Jew or a Christian, without any regard for the consequences of their actions.

Today, we are witnessing our honorable President being labeled a Jew. They might label him a Christian next; they might even do the same to me. These are baseless rumors circulating on social media, where individuals hide behind the guise of freedom of expression to slaughter and dismantle the honor and dignity of others. When a person’s reputation is being torn apart in this manner without any foundation, what is the purpose of having criminal procedure laws?

Member of Parliament Hussain Shareef

MP Shareef stated that there is no purpose in enacting laws for other matters within a state that fails to protect the dignity and reputation of its citizens. He further questioned on the floor of the Parliament what state institutions are doing to prevent such occurrences.