Govt devoid of sincerity in pro-Palestine initiatives: MDP

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Thursday claimed current government lacked any sincerity in any efforts it initiated in the name of standing in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

MDP said this in response to the arrest of Dr. Mohamed Iyaz’s wife, Aishath Shadhiya and Dr. Shazra Ibrahim while they were protesting against Israel’s continued genocide.

The opposition party alleges the current government has shown hesitance to implement any of the efforts it earlier promised regarding Palestine, including advocacy in the global stage, providing aid and relief, and other measures including a ban on Israeli passport holders.

MDP further said the freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 27 of the Maldives Constitution, and added that the public had right to express themselves unless such expressions are in contradiction with Islamic tenets.

“Those arrested by the police in the case, were advocating for the Palestinian people’s right for survival, so any obstruction to this is a violation as per the said article [Article 27],” MDP’s statement read.

The former ruling party further alleged the incumbent administration has been gradually curtailing freedom of expression since it first assumed office.

“We express deep concern over the repeated incidents of news website closures, lawsuits against media outlets, and the isolation of individuals based on their political beliefs,” MDP added.

The empathy towards all Palestinian people is a shared sentiment among all Maldivians, and the arrest of individuals who were legally expressing these sentiments was unacceptable, the former ruling party added, and urged to release both women immediately.

Maldives Police Service on Wednesday informed the two women were arrested for causing nuisance and usage of profanity in front of diplomatic missions and the harassment of a diplomat.

The Criminal Court on Thursday announced a three-day remand on both women.