Disclosing information that compromises a child's dignity following any incident is a violation of their fundamental rights: Health Ministry
7 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 10:21The Ministry of Health, Family and Social Services has urged media outlets to refrain from publishing the personal information of children in a manner that violates their dignity and contradicts the Child Rights Protection Act. Emphasizing that safeguarding the best interests of children is a collective responsibility, the Ministry stated that disclosing identifiable details of a child constitutes a direct infringement upon their fundamental rights.
Violence against children – The Ministry stated that disseminating information in a manner that compromises a child's dignity, whether to influence public perception regarding an incident involving a child or for any other purpose, constitutes an infringement on the fundamental rights of the child. | police
The Ministry of Health, Family and Social Welfare has urged the public to refrain from circulating information on media platforms that could compromise the dignity of a minor involved in an alleged sexual abuse case. The appeal follows reports that an individual in a position of trust is accused of committing the offense.
In a statement released Friday, the Ministry emphasized that Article 35 of Chapter Two of the Constitution of the Maldives explicitly mandates that children are entitled to special assistance and protection from their families, the community, and the State. The Ministry further noted that, in violation of the principles set forth in the Child Rights Protection Act (Law No. 19/2019)—which was formulated in accordance with the Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child—private information concerning children is being disclosed across various media platforms in a manner that compromises their dignity.
The Ministry’s statement further emphasized that under Article 33 of the Child Rights Protection Act, it is strictly prohibited for any party to disclose personal information of a child in a manner that compromises their dignity. Specifically, the law mandates that publishing any identifying information—including names, addresses, educational institutions, or photographs—of children accused of crimes, victims of crime, or children otherwise in need of care and protection, is illegal across all media platforms and communication channels. The statement underscored that these legal provisions are established with the paramount objective of ensuring the highest level of protection for the best interests of the child.
Consequently, the Ministry stated that disseminating information in a manner that undermines a child's dignity—whether to influence public perception regarding an incident involving a minor or for any other purpose—constitutes a violation of the child's fundamental rights.
The Ministry of Health, Family and Social Services has stated that protecting the rights of children is both a legal and moral obligation for the entire community. Accordingly, the Ministry has instructed all parties to refrain from publishing any information on media or social media platforms that could compromise the best interests of a child.
