Civil Servants Face Job Termination Under New Amendment That Curbs Freedom Of Expression

The Maldivian Civil Service Act has been amended and gazetted to restrict civil servants' freedom of expression.

As per the amendment, civil servants are now prohibited from discussing and debating politics during office-hours. Participation in any political activities as a civil servant, participating in any political activities that may hinder official responsibilities, displaying a political bias are now grounds for terminating the civil servant's employment.

The amendment has attracted much criticism. As a presidential candidate on the campaign trail in 2018, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had participated with civil servants in several political activities; such activities were actively praised and promoted by the now-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.