President says Maldives has ended era of political retribution

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday that his administration has ended the culture of political retribution and expanded political freedoms in the Maldives.

Speaking at the official Independence Day ceremony, the President said his government had fulfilled its pledge to end political persecution and ensure greater freedom for political participation.

He said the current administration has provided a level of political freedom not previously seen in the country's democratic history.

According to the President, political parties are now able to conduct their activities without restrictions, including holding internal elections in school halls and using state facilities for political events. He also said arrangements have been made to facilitate opposition meetings.

The President said the most significant change had been the end of the practice of prosecuting former political leaders after a change of government.

"We have not jailed a single former leader," President Muizzu said.

He contrasted this with previous administrations, stating that former governments sought to imprison political leaders after assuming office.

"As soon as a government was sworn in, the immediate rush was to figure out how to put the previous leader behind bars. Nothing was enforced except a spirit of vengeance," he said.

President Muizzu said his administration came to office with a commitment to end political retaliation and had fulfilled that promise.

He said the country had now been freed from what he described as a culture of political vengeance.

The President also said there are no longer barriers to political participation, that political persecution has ended, and that the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of the press are being upheld within the framework of the law.

He concluded by saying his government has delivered the highest level of democratic freedom in the Maldives' history.