MDP to join youth protests over woman's fall probe

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced its decision to support the ongoing youth-led protests seeking justice in the case of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who was found fallen on the roof of a warehouse after she had fallen from the ninth floor of a building in Malé on 18 April.

The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the MDP National Assembly held at the party's headquarters on Friday evening.

MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail stated that the organisers of the protests had requested support and cooperation from the party. He added that the MDP would not withdraw from the matter.

Fayyaz said that all efforts to seek rights are inherently political, and the party’s decision to join the protests was influenced by the actions of the police, who have reportedly used force, including pepper spray, against demonstrators and arrested participants.

The protests have continued for over 10 days. Protesters have gathered near the Sergeant Adam Haleem Criminal Investigation Building on Majeedhee Magu. Police have responded by barricading the area nightly and dispersing the gatherings.

The Ministry of Home Affairs recently designated four locations in Malé where rallies, marches, and processions may be held without prior written permission from the police. The newly designated areas are:

The police have stated that any gathering outside these locations would be dispersed in accordance with the law.