Police appeals for child rights' protesters to refrain from unlawful acts

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has called out repeated unlawful acts carried out during recent child rights' demonstrations.

As per the press statement released on January 25th, MPS commended the child rights' protesters and members of the public expressing concern and holding state authorities accountable while adding that such demonstrations are effective tools to bring child sex offenders to justice.

Nevertheless, unlawful acts during child rights' protests such as gathering outside of residences and hospitals, creating public disturbances, causing damage to property and vigilante justice have begun to increase, said MPS. Highlighting that these acts infringe on the freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and are detrimental to the cause of child rights' advocacy, MPS went onto appeal for the public to refrain from acts that violate the country's laws, constitution, cause damage to public property or harm any member of the public.

Further, they note that some local media agencies have encouraged and justified mob justice or vigilante justice when reporting on child sex offenders and emphasise the authorities responsibility to provide all individuals with their right to a fair trial and no punishment without law as mandated by the Maldives' constitution and international human rights' conventions. Hence, they further appeal for the public to support the authorities in fulfilling these mandates and bring justice to offenders according to the law.

As such, they reiterate their commitment to work with the community in ensuring child rights' and providing a safe environment for children, stating that child rights' protesters making efforts to hold state institutions accountable in a lawful manner have the full support of the MPS whereas legal action will be taken against individuals who use the protests as an excuse to conduct prohibited acts.