Stories about Maldives
There's an Island Made of Toxic Trash Rising Out of the Sea in the Maldives
Used batteries, asbestos, lead and other potentially hazardous waste dumped at Thilafushi island are seeping into the water, but environmental concerns have never materialized into a campaign by local activists.
SMS Death Threats Stoke Fears on Fate of Abducted Journalist in Maldives
The messages came just days before the unexplained disappearance of journalist and democracy advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla.
Journalist and Democracy Advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla Missing in the Maldives
The prolific social media user is vocal against hatred in the name of religion and has not been shy about criticizing the Maldives Islamist Adhaalath Party and other political parties.
How to Stop the Dhivehi Language From Dying
Dhivehi, the national language of Maldives, is a pidgin language spoken primarily by the Maldivians. However, practically every Maldivian speaks English, the unofficial second language, because it’s the language used in Maldivian school curricula. Lack of proper language standards is impeding the growth of Dhivehi. Aishath Khashia at Work of...
Homosexual Asylum Seekers from The Maldives Face Prosecution Upon Return
Same-sex relationships, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are illegal in the Maldives under Sharia law and there are several cases of prosecution against persons of same-sex orientation. Ibrahim Muaz, a spokesman at the President’s Office recently said that Maldivians seeking asylum abroad on grounds of religion or sexuality can be...
Maldives’ Morality Police Target Youth
Maldives has one of the most youthful populations in the world with more than half of the population under the age of 25. But a lot of them are being increasingly harassed by moral policing by the society and the authorities, reports Dhivehi Sitee blog.
The Sustainable Fishing Practices of Dhivehi Reef Fishermen
Maldivian blogger Hani Amir writes about the traditional fishing methods of the reef fishermen of Maldives which include catching tons of fish with their hands, instead of nets or rods. The bloggers also sheds light on how they are being exploited by greedy resort owners who tries to exploit them...
What It's Like Growing Up In The Maldives?
Journalist and blogger Hilath Rasheed shares a Maldivian's thoughts in Facebook on “How is it like growing up in Male'/Maldives”: From Ibrahim Lirar: The most honest answer I can give now is that “it is scary and constricting”. Information was so tightly control until recently. Very few among us grew...
PHOTOS: Humans Of South Asia
"It reminds me to love and respect everybody-- something many people here tend to have forgotten."
The State Of Freedom Of Religion in Maldives
The Maldives ranks high on the list of governments that restrict religious freedom. Maldivian citizens have to be Muslim and cannot practice any religion other than Islam. Non-Muslim foreigners cannot vote, worship publicly, obtain citizenship, and hold public positions. Journalist Hilath Rasheed notes that Maldives perhaps will not be able...
PHOTOS: ‘Silent Protest’ Demands Elections in Maldives
Despite several delays, the people's desire for presidential elections in Maldives was not dampened, as a photographer documents in photos taken at a 'silent protest'.
Maldives Presidential Votes Will Need A Second Round
88% of the 240,000 voters in Maldives voted last Saturday (7 September, 2013) to elect a president, hoping to end the long political turmoil. As Mohamed Nasheed, the first elected president of Maldives, who was ousted in a coup 20 months ago, couldn't secure a majority, the poll headed to...
Caring For The Migrant Workers in Maldives
Amira at Mindblur comments: The population of the Maldives is a little over 300,000 people and we employee over 100,000 expatriate workers mainly in menial jobs in the construction industry, as housemaids, cleaners, helpers in various places, etc. This high proportion of the population would mean the Government should put...
Maldives Rape Victim's Flogging Sentence Touches Off Anti-Tourism Campaign
Global outrage is growing against a Maldives court's verdict to flog a 15-year-old girl who is originally a victim of rape and sexual abuse. More than one million people have signed a petition created by the campaign website Avaaz.org, urging Maldivian authorities to protect the girl.
TV Journalist Attacked In Maldives
Ibrahim ‘Aswad’ Waheed, Head of News of Raaje TV, an independent television channel, was attacked by unidentified persons recently in the Maldivian capital Male. Maldivian journalists joined in protests demanding press freedom and protection of journalists which can be seen in pictures at photo-blogger Bug's blog.
First Response Services In The Maldives
Maeed points out to the dilapidated state of some of the first response services in Maldives and wonders whether it is effective for donor agencies and financial supporters to invest in the Maldives.
Looking Back at 2012 in South Asia – Part II
Pakistan's dismal human rights record just gets worse, India's rising rape rates have sent the society into a flux, Bangladesh rejected Myanmar's Rohingya refugees, the regions relatively stable country - Maldives- saw a spiraling political crisis, and protests in post-war Sri Lanka against price hikes were met with police brutality. It has been a rough year in South Asia. And we have been covering the bad and the good all year at Global Voices. Here are some highlights from this years coverage.
Maldives: The Assassination of A Lawmaker
Buggee posts a photo story on the death of Dr Afraasheem Ali, a lawmaker of the Maldives Government qualition, who was stabbed to death outside his home.
Maldives: Independence Day Celebrations In Male
Buggee posts photos of the recently held official Independence Day celebrations of Maldives in the Galolhu Grounds of the capital Male.
Vibrant Maldives Eid Celebrations – Despite the Political Wrangling
When the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of the Maldives announced that the 2012 morning Eid prayers in the capital Malé were to be celebrated in an open space, it created much controversy and debate. The news was met with skepticism from people who saw it as a political publicity stunt to show numbers, as support for the ruling government.
Maldives: Activist's Arrest During Protest Caught on Video
Two videos showing the July 13 arrest of activist Shauna Aminath in the Maldives during a peaceful protest calling for early elections have generated reactions all the way to Chile. While Shauna was released the following day after a court hearing, the Maldives Democracy Movement believes it is part of targeted arrests and intimidation of female protesters.