Human Rights Commission (HRCM) Vice President Ahmed Tholal has called for an immediate state response to reports of a series of vigilante attacks in the capital over recent days.
“The concern to me is that there needs to be a state response to state very clearly that we cannot just start labelling people un-Islamic as it’s a very dangerous thing,” said Tholal.
After multiple accounts of the abductions and assault of individuals perceived to be supportive of atheism or homosexuality, the HRCM plans to meet with state representatives in order to determine the cause for these events.
“I think the issue of safety of paramount. We’re not very clear why this is happening,” said Tholal. “But I think the key role is what the state response is going to be and putting an end to the speculation – to let the people know what is happening.”
After reports that senior government members met with citizens concerned about the harassment of Islam in the days before the attacks – some of whom have subsequently been linked with the abductions – Minivan News has been unable to obtain a response from the relevant authorities on this issue.
The vigilante group was believed to have been attempting to identify members of online secularist groups – some of which had repeatedly featured content defaming and mocking the prophet.
Freedom and responsibility
Tholal noted that the incidents had raised issues regarding freedom of expression but also the responsibility inherent in the enjoyment of that freedom – noting that the state should take action against criminal activity.
“It’s not just about people who are expressing these opinion,” said Tholal. “For one thing, the freedom of expression is highly sacred, and at the same time so is responsibility.”
Article 27 of the Maldives constitution grants the right to freedom of expression in a manner that is not contrary to any tenet of Islam.
Police began investigations into anti-Islamic comment posted on the ‘Maldives Atheists’ Facebook page in March this year, although no arrests have as yet been made.
Expressing his fear that Maldivian society was becoming less tolerant of diverse opinion, Tholal noted that people’s freedom of expression must be based on understanding rather than intimidation.
“Reinterpretations should be based, not on fear, but on an understanding that there are things you cannot say as they might hurt people or be hateful or incite violence,” he said.
Self-censorship
Ismail Hilath Rasheed, a self-exiled blogger who was subjected to multiple attacks as a result of his outspoken calls for freedom of expression has also suggested greater tolerance is needed across Maldivian society.
“Freedom of expression should not be abused as to lead to anarchy and chaos. Such a balanced equilibrium can be obtained only through granting minority rights, which means the sorely missing secularism in the context of Maldives.”
“This is where we need to build bridges – a bridge to gap the gulf between moderates and extremists on all sides,” said the former journalist.
Hilath has suggested that many Maldivians – including himself – were now refraining from expressing themselves due to the current climate of fear.
“With the liberal community now opting to refrain from exercising their right to free expression, the Maldives as a culture and society will plunge into an abyss unless the powers that be give them the courage to come out and contribute to society’s collective creativity, and express free expression without fear,” he said.
A landmark ‘Threat Analysis Report’ by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission earlier this year found 84 percent of journalists surveyed had been threatened at least once, with 27 percent noting a reluctance to cover certain topics.
Journalists identified political parties to be the top source of threat, while gangs and religious extremists – both alleged to have been involved in recent attacks – were next on the list.
Other than coverage of a Maldivian Democratic Party press release expressing concern over the incidents, local media has not reported on the succession of attacks.
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Oh?!!... there still is a Human Rights Commission in Maldives?
Eh, it's just another excuse to rob. Now paateys can say they attacked 'not to get their phone', but because they were 'laadheenee'.
It's amazing how Gatu Mua's body is full of tattoos. How Kesto's gym is full of infidel equipments. How Guhdhoos kalhey drinks.
So amazing.
As long as they're God-fearing, I am sure Allah is on their side.
this dude will get his throat cut, anus brutally violated or move to Europe in 3,2,1...
Not a single word of condemnation of the anti-islam hatred been spred by the secularists in social media. I call Majlis to remove this person from HRCM.
These anti-islam content appearing in this minivan news and other hate groups in facebook are clearly against multiple laws of Maldives.
HRCM should demand MPS investigate these crimes on a priority basis. This is terrorism and cannot be tolerated!
The crackdown on secular-minded citizens in the Maldives is bad for the country. Maldivians should understand that secularism is beneficial both for their nation and for Muslims worldwide. Islamic communities in countries where they are a minority find their rights protected thanks to secular laws. The Maldives should see itself as part of a wider Islamic community and see the advantages of a secular system in the long run.
Anti-Islam, anti-Islam ey kiyaa iru Islam akee meehheh tha? Anti-insaaniyyathah amalu kuraa meehunnoa? Kaleymen buddah alhukan nukure ey kiyaa iru ebbai faharu neyngey thafaatheh...
why in a country there is no other religion practiced has to allow to have even minority in the first place.
Shia Muslims: Kill the Sunnis. They are kafir. (See this in action in Iraq.)
Sunni Muslims: Kill the Shias. They are kafir. (See it in action in Syria.)
Wahhabi Muslims: Kill the Ahmadis. They are Kafir. (See this in action in Pakistan. Nobel laureate Abdus Salam is an Ahmadi Muslim.)
Salafi Muslims: Kill all the other Muslims. They are kafir. (See this in action in the Maldives.)
What kind of Muslim are you? Shia, Sunni, Wahhabi, Salafi, Ahmadi, Shafi, Maliki, Hanbali?
@ainth
We know your gang boys were posting anti-islamic content in a bid to conduct a false-flag operation to attack people who disagree with extremist cultists.
@ maldivian
We know secularists are posting inflammatory anti-islam hatred in facebook, blogs, minivan news, etc to provoke a response from religious / pseudo- religious people in this islamic country. so these secularists can be projected as victims to the international community. Also so that they can easily get assylum in western countries.
I call authorities to investigate the whole thing and bring the law-breakers to justice.
@ainth: You're just repeating what you're told to do. Me, on the other hand - I have proof that it was all a false-flag operation so you could justify your crime spree. Secularists have always been victims of the Maldivian constitution that disregards the Holy Quran.
And your desperation to hide that fact makes you an accomplice.
Now, enough talking from me - here's the proof.
http://i.imgur.com/V2YqVT5.png
You target isn't 'secularists' - your target is people who had the guts to provide an open platform for Maldivians to discuss issues freely and without fear.
You're pathetic, ainth - hiding behind Islam to justify your oppression. You guys insult Islam more than some 'anonymous' people do.
Ahmed Tholal, the State is behind these attacks.
Now the "Islamic" minister Seyku Shaheem is trying to gather "scholars" to find out whether Maldivian suicide bombings in Syria and elsewhere are "jihad". Is there any doubt? Why are we having a psychiatric patient as a minister? He should be locked up in the mental asylum on Guraidhoo island. http://www.haveeru.com.mv/news/55302