Minister of Foreign Affairs، Dunya Maumoon، has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on the Office of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
“Political parties form an important institution of democracy، and the Government and the people of the Maldives will not tolerate attacks on any political party، be it the MDP، or any other party”، said Minister Dunya in a press release on Foreign Ministry’s website.
The Office of MDP was set on fire in the early hours of Friday. The Minister said that “acts of violence in any form will not be tolerated by the Government”، and welcomed the prompt action by the concerned authorities to investigate the incident and assured that the perpetrators will be brought to justice at the earliest.
“These acts of violence will only serve to undermine the political stability of the country، and will undoubtedly curtail the rights to freedom of association and freedom of speech guaranteed under the Maldivian Constitution”، Minister Dunya noted.
The Minister also expressed deep concern over the increase in number of act of threats and intimidation that journalists are being subjected to، and especially the recent attack on the Office Building of Minivan News. The Minister noted that the Government remains strongly committed to create an environment that gives protection to media personnel to exercise their duties freely and responsibly.
Media freedom and freedom expression are fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Maldives and the human rights instruments that the Maldives is party to.  At the ongoing Human Rights Council Session in Geneva the Maldives co sponsored the resolution calling for the safety of journalist.