Shahid: Seeing worrying signs of roll-back of democratic values

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s states worrying signs of the roll-back of democratic values and principles are being witnessed in the Maldives as International Day of Democracy is celebrated today.

Via a post on X, Shahid stressed that democratic values and progress are connected. 

Henceforth, he stressed the need to vigilant to not lose the gains Maldives has made as a country in consolidating democracy over the past years. In this trajectory, he stressed the need to remain to committed to the values of free speech, freedom of movement and association, promoting human rights, and strengthening governance and the rule of law.

As we celebrate International #DemocracyDay, in the Maldives, we are seeing the worrying signs of the roll-back of democratic values and principles.

Democratic values and progress are connected.

We must be vigilant to not lose the gains we have made as a country in…

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) September 15, 2024

Main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) also released the statement on the occasion of International Day of Democracy in which the party said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s policies will pave the way to commence a new chapter of democracy in the history of Maldives. The statement highlighted some of the successes achieved by the current administration in implementing democracy.

A news publication recently publicized a report claiming President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was paying PNC MPs MVR 50,000 on a monthly basis, which was increased by MVR 25,000 this month to pay MVR 75,000. The government denied the reports and said would be taking action against the party which made the report.

Subsequently, MDP released a statement on Wednesday, calling on the government to stop threatening journalists. They also called on the government to facilitate an environment where journalists have freedom of press; a right guaranteed by the constitution.