Opinion: Free Speech Under Threat In The Maldives

In 2020, we Maldivians finally realized that our country was gradually being swallowed and encroached by India. Patriotic Maldivians took to the streets, voicing their opinions and demanding to defend national sovereignty and independence. Obviously, what they do hurts the interests of our puppet government and India, so they try their best to stop them and reject people’s demands for withdrawal of Indian military presence.

In addition to arresting protesters and controlling mass gatherings, they even plan to directly criminalize India out campaign, which shocks the international community.

In January, as the government rounded up several protesters, Speaker Nasheed grandly told the press that “India is the country which is most compatible with Maldives in all respects and could play the biggest role in the Maldives”. He also deluded himself by saying that there is little support for “India Out” and there will not be any popular support amongst the Maldivian people for a movement against India or any other country. When the new Indian High Commissioner took office in November last year,

President Solih immediately reaffirmed his support for the close relationship between India and Maldives. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the anti-India sentiments belong to a small group of people and that public allegations towards bilateral cooperation are unsubstantiated.

Last July, the government described the growing "India Out" movement as a “well-orchestrated and pre-meditated political campaign with the express purpose of whipping up hatred against the Maldives’ closest ally, India”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly stated that the views reflected in “India Out” belong to a small group and do not represent the mindset of the public.

In fact, the so called closest ally is engaged in a neo-colonial scramble through military, economy and politics, but MDP is turning a blind eye to this.

The MDP is drafting a bill named as the “Bill to stop all actions that could negatively affect relations established by Maldives with foreign countries”, which will criminalize any act by individuals that is diplomatically disruptive. The draft bill is said to have proposed a fine of MVR 20,000, and 6-month imprisonment or 1-year house arrest, for those who insinuate that the Maldives is under the political, economic or military control of another country. Meanwhile, dozens of people have been arrested at regular India out protests in recent months, usually released on the same day.

Eleven people were arrested in early January, including nine women and a former MP. The purpose of the government is to attempt to silence dissent.
In addition, Speaker Nasheed is pushing for national control of India Out through multiple channels. He wrote to Mohamed Aslam, 241 Committee Chair North Hithadhoo constituency MP, stating that the opposition leader former President Abdulla Yameen led calls to remove Indian military forces in the Maldives was a critical issue which poses a threat to national security. Nasheed also tabled a motion requesting 241 Committee to launch an inquiry into the nature of India Out campaign to review the negative impact on countries that have diplomatic relations with the Maldives.

The government is blatantly curtailing the freedom of speech of people.