By Husanjot Chahal
Rarely does one think of religious extremism and threats to free speech while talking about the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, known popularly for its idyllic white sand beaches and activism in climate change. With the coming of the Abdulla Yameen government in 2013, media has been under increasing threat by a nexus of religious radicals and political forces. Repressive measures, including a law criminalizing defamatory speech as “contrary to the tenets of Islam”, have been undertaken to silence journalists, bloggers and activists who speak against political corruption, religious radicalization, and Salafi puritanism. To restrain critical voices, detentions have been common, as have been extralegal abductions and violence. In short, Maldives is a classic tale of politics using religion to quell freedom of speech in its goal for money and power.
To research on my project titled ‘Between Fear and Freedom’, I travelled to the Maldives this summer aiming to contextualize issues pertaining freedom of speech and expression in the country. The experience enabled me to interact with numerous journalists, civil society activists, and members of the current opposition political party. It has led me to pen down untold stories of subjugation and bravery of individuals caught in a steady stream of death threats and stalking, making careful choices between self-censorship or remaining vocal.
What are two interesting things about country you visited that the average person doesn’t know?
To begin with, not many people are aware of the serious issues that media organizations and civil society actors are facing in the Maldives. These issues gradually began in 2013 with the coming of the Abdulla Yameen government and have included deaths of liberal bloggers like Yameen Rasheed, attacks on media houses, revision of laws to erode human rights, imprisonment/exiling of nearly every major opposition political figure as well as members of the judiciary. Furthermore, the Presidential elections are due on 23 September, and most individuals in Male have expressed serious doubts about the possibility of having a free and fair election or any transition of power to the opposition even if the results rightfully demand so. The situation is especially worrisome because for many in Male, the upcoming elections will be a final call on the future of democracy and freedom of speech and expression in the Maldives.
How did you come up with your project and why does it interest you?
In May 2017, when I was working in New Delhi, I met Mr Hussain Rasheed, father of the slain Maldivian blogger, Yameen Rasheed. In my interaction with Mr Rasheed, I not only got a personal account of a victim of the above stated issues, but also a peek into the deeply fragmented political landscape of the Maldives. Ever since I have been personally invested in understanding plus staying informed about developments on this topic.
What impact will it have on both you and others?
Through my research project, I hope to enlighten the Georgetown community and the world about pressing issues of this archipelago safely tucked away from popular imagination. Any success on this front could possibly mean greater international attention on the ill-practices that otherwise are gradually becoming the new norm in the Maldives. This can translate into potentially greater efforts towards ensuring a fair election, a freer space for civil society to express, impacting every single individual living on this archipelago country of a few thousands. For me, a remote success on any of these fronts could mean better sleep at night.
To research on my project titled ‘Between Fear and Freedom’, I travelled to the Maldives this summer aiming to contextualize issues pertaining freedom of speech and expression in the country. The experience enabled me to interact with numerous journalists, civil society activists, and members of the current opposition political party. It has led me to pen down untold stories of subjugation and bravery of individuals caught in a steady stream of death threats and stalking, making careful choices between self-censorship or remaining vocal.
What are two interesting things about country you visited that the average person doesn’t know?
To begin with, not many people are aware of the serious issues that media organizations and civil society actors are facing in the Maldives. These issues gradually began in 2013 with the coming of the Abdulla Yameen government and have included deaths of liberal bloggers like Yameen Rasheed, attacks on media houses, revision of laws to erode human rights, imprisonment/exiling of nearly every major opposition political figure as well as members of the judiciary. Furthermore, the Presidential elections are due on 23 September, and most individuals in Male have expressed serious doubts about the possibility of having a free and fair election or any transition of power to the opposition even if the results rightfully demand so. The situation is especially worrisome because for many in Male, the upcoming elections will be a final call on the future of democracy and freedom of speech and expression in the Maldives.
How did you come up with your project and why does it interest you?
In May 2017, when I was working in New Delhi, I met Mr Hussain Rasheed, father of the slain Maldivian blogger, Yameen Rasheed. In my interaction with Mr Rasheed, I not only got a personal account of a victim of the above stated issues, but also a peek into the deeply fragmented political landscape of the Maldives. Ever since I have been personally invested in understanding plus staying informed about developments on this topic.
What impact will it have on both you and others?
Through my research project, I hope to enlighten the Georgetown community and the world about pressing issues of this archipelago safely tucked away from popular imagination. Any success on this front could possibly mean greater international attention on the ill-practices that otherwise are gradually becoming the new norm in the Maldives. This can translate into potentially greater efforts towards ensuring a fair election, a freer space for civil society to express, impacting every single individual living on this archipelago country of a few thousands. For me, a remote success on any of these fronts could mean better sleep at night.