Parties call for release of 2 arrested in protests on woman's fall

Several political parties have called for the release of two individuals arrested during youth-led protests in Malé demanding justice for Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who was found fallen from the ninth floor of a building onto the roof of a neighbouring house on 18 April.

The protests, ongoing for over a week, were dispersed by police using pepper spray Thursday night. Police also confiscated loudspeakers and arrested two individuals said to be leading the protest.

Opposition parties — the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), The Democrats, and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) — issued separate statements calling for the immediate release of the arrested individuals and urged authorities to allow the demonstrations to continue.

In its statement, the MDP condemned what it described as the use of force without warning during the arrest. The party noted that freedom of assembly is protected under the Constitution and criticised the government’s handling of the protests. The MDP also called for an investigation into the police’s actions during the demonstration.

The Democrats also issued a statement, calling the arrests unjustified. The party demanded that police refrain from interfering with peaceful demonstrations, stop arresting participants, and conduct an inquiry into the conduct of officers involved in the incident.

The MDA, in its statement, stated that the protest was dispersed while participants were peacefully expressing their sentiments. The party urged law enforcement and other state agencies to avoid similar actions in the future and called for equal opportunity for all groups to express their views.

The Maldives Police Service said the protest was dispersed due to disruption caused to the general public and students preparing for the GCE A/L examinations. The police said repeated warnings had been issued before action was taken.