HRCM probes MDP rally crackdown amid widespread concern over use of LRADs

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) said on Sunday that it is looking into the police crackdown on last weekend’s anti-government rally in the Maldivian capital, amid concern over the use of pepper spray and Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) or sound cannons to disperse protestors.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ‘Lootuvaifi’ anti-corruption rally kicked off with hundreds of protestors at 09:00 pm Friday from the Artificial Beach in the Henveiru district of Male’. But as the protestors attempted to march along the Majeedhee Magu, the police accused them of diverting from the pre-approved route and blocked their path. Clashes ensued as protestors attempted to force their way through, with the police using pepper spray and sound cannons to control the crowd. Eight protestors were taken into custody, while one suffered a heart attack after reportedly getting pepper-sprayed at close range.

This first-time use of LRADs for crowd control has sparked public backlash, with protesters, people living in the neighborhood, as well as journalists covering the protest reporting ear pain, headaches, and dizziness.

Reporters have repeatedly questioned the HRCM whether they are investigating the concerns.

A spokesperson from HRCM responded two days later on Sunday that they had monitored the protest, and were “looking into what needs further scrutiny.”

The rights watchdog has not specified what exactly its looking into.

The MDP has accused the police of using excessive force on peaceful protestors, accusing them of pepper-spraying protestors at close range and using LRADs despite the serious risks of permanent hearing damage, dizziness, nausea, and other severe health impacts.

The party has said they are exploring possible legal action under the International Convention Against Torture.

However, these allegations are denied by the police, who said protest had been an unlawful gathering, and that officers had acted “with patience and professionalism to disperse the gathering using lawful means.”

The police also added that three officers were injured during the rally, including one female officer who protesters walked over after she fell down with her shield.

The police have confirmed that eight protestors were arrested from Friday’s rally for “disobeying police orders, obstruction, and damage to police gear.”

On Saturday, six of them were remanded in custody of the police for 15 days. This includes former Dhaandhoo MP Yaugoob Abdulla, former North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, and incumbent president of Maafushi Council, Hassan Solah, as well as Ali Juman, Azeem Ali, and Hassan Shakir.

Meanwhile, 47-year-old Raslaan, the protestor who suffered a heart attack, is being treated at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

MDP said the heart attack resulted from being exposed to pepper spray at close range and being subjected to LRADs – something which the party said the police are not authorized to use for crowd control.

In an unprecedented move on Saturday, the IGMH issued a statement saying there is no scientific evidence that exposure to pepper spray directly causes heart attacks.

The main government hospital faced backlash over the statement, with the MDP accusing it of violating patient confidentiality laws.

The MDP said they will be lodging cases with both the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) and the National Integrity Commission (NIC).