Rights Cannot Be Used as a Shield to Infringe on Others' Reputation: AG Usham

Rights and responsibilities are inseparable principles and fundamental rights cannot be used as a shield to infringe upon the reputation and rights of others, Attorney General Ahmed Usham said.

Usham made the remarks in an informational video released by the Attorney General's Office as part of its legal awareness program, Engumakee Baareh (Knowledge is Power). Drawing a comparison, the Attorney General stated that rights and responsibilities represent two sides of the same coin, noting that Article 67 of the Maldivian Constitution clearly outlines that individual freedoms must be exercised alongside civic responsibilities.

"There are duties and principles that everyone must adhere to and respect when exercising their rights. These include upholding the Constitution, protecting public property and the environment, and respecting and safeguarding the rights of others," Usham said.

Highlighting examples, Usham noted that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of movement, individuals must use public spaces responsibly and ensure they do not endanger others. Similarly, while the right to protest is protected, assemblies must be carried out peacefully and within the boundaries of the law.

"Likewise, exercising freedom of expression does not permit engaging in unlawful acts or infringing on the reputation and dignity of others; these are not permitted under the Constitution," he added.

The Attorney General further emphasised that a robust democratic system cannot rely solely on the granting of rights. Such a system is realized only when citizens exercise their rights responsibly while fulfilling their civic obligations to one another, he noted.

His remarks come as the government submitted the Defamation and Freedom of Expression Bill to the People's Majlis, which proposes to classify defamation as a civil offense with compensation of up to MVR 500,000 for damages.