Ex-presidents send joint letter to missions over press freedom concerns

Former presidents Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have sent a joint letter to international missions outlining concerns regarding the administration of President Mohamed Muizzu.

The three former leaders formally agreed last Friday to work together on what they described as key national issues.

In the letter, the former presidents highlighted a ‘gag order’ issued by the Criminal Court on May 10 relating to a documentary produced by Adhadhu.

According to the letter, the order prohibits circulation of the documentary and restricts both direct and indirect discussion of the matter.

The former presidents described the order as an unprecedented restriction on freedom of expression in the Maldives under the current democratic system.

The letter also referred to the imprisonment of two Adhadhu journalists following hearings held two days later.

According to the former leaders, the journalists were denied sufficient time to appoint legal counsel before being sentenced.

They stated that it was the first instance since the ratification of the current Constitution that journalists had been jailed in connection with their professional work.

The letter further noted that individuals who gathered in Malé to protest against the detention of the journalists were also arrested and remain in custody.

The former presidents argued that the actions form part of a broader effort to restrict press freedom.

They also referred to:

The letter additionally referred to a recent public referendum on a constitutional amendment proposed by Parliament, stating that 69 per cent of voters rejected the proposal.

“Instead of recognizing the decline in public support as a moment for reflection, the government is intensifying its attacks on independent institutions and the journalists tasked with holding the executive accountable,” the letter stated.

The former presidents also said the developments are taking place during a period of economic difficulty.

They argued that the country’s economic situation and pressure on state reserves were linked to government policies and governance decisions.

Despite political differences, the three former leaders stated that they had united to defend democratic institutions in the Maldives.

The letter called on international missions to urge the Maldivian government to release detained journalists and halt actions against members of the press.