MDP mulls boycotting census over missing journalist

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that it is considering boycotting the census, to pressure the government over missing Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla.

Speaking at a press conference today, Vice President of the party Mohamed Shifaz accused the government of gross negligence in the efforts to find Rilwan.

“We are of the view that there is no need to hold a census that does not include all Maldivians, after forced disappearance [of some Maldivians],” said Shifaz.

He said that the issue of officially boycotting the census will be discussed by the party’s National Council, and implemented as a nationwide campaign.

Chairperson of MDP Ali Waheed said that MDP takes Rilwan’s disappearance very seriously, and condemned the actions of the police especially for not sharing more information regarding the case with the public.

He said that the government has attempted to obstruct the party’s efforts to hold a meeting of its National Council to discuss the issue, and asserted that meetings will be held in spite of obstruction by the government, if necessary, on the street.