UN rights chief urges Maldives to repeal media law
The European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom have also voiced concern over the law, alongside several international organisations.
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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on the Maldivian government to withdraw the new Media Regulation Act, which President Mohamed Muizzu ratified last week.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement on Thursday raising concern that the law undermines media freedom and restricts the right to expression.
"A new media law ratified by the President on 18 September will seriously undermine media freedom and the right to freedom of expression for the people of the Maldives if not withdrawn," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said. She added that the provisions of the Act conflict with international covenants on civil and political rights to which the Maldives is a party.
According to the UN, the law grants broad powers to the newly established Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, including the authority to withhold licences and impose fines on media outlets. The statement also highlighted that free and diverse media are essential to safeguarding freedom of expression and maintaining democratic society, especially at a time when institutional checks and balances in the Maldives have weakened.
The UN further stated that, if the law is repealed, it is prepared to assist in drafting new legislation consistent with international norms and principles.
The legislation, introduced as a private member’s bill by Abdul Hannan Abubakar, was drafted by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim and passed within two weeks while Parliament was in recess. Some committee deliberations were held in closed sessions.
Following ratification, the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council were dissolved, and the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission was established with expanded regulatory powers. The law permits, in certain cases, media outlets to be shut down with the involvement of security forces without judicial oversight.
The European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom have also voiced concern over the law, alongside several international organisations.
