President Muizzu Claims Maldives Has Ended Toxic Culture of Political Retaliation

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared that the Maldives is truly free, attributing this shift to the nation's embrace of political change and the full realization of democratic freedoms. Speaking at the official ceremony marking the Maldives' 61st Independence Day, the President outlined his administration's efforts to strengthen national liberty across various sectors. He argued that genuine freedom is unattainable without the robust implementation of democratic rights, asserting that his government has advanced these freedoms more than any previous administration in the country's history. Central to the President's address was the claim that political activity in the Maldives is no longer hindered by state obstacles. He contrasted the current climate with previous eras, noting that while opposition leaders were frequently imprisoned under past governments, all political groups now operate without restriction. "No political leader has been arrested during my tenure. No former president has been imprisoned," President Muizzu stated, noting that such arrests were once the norm following government transitions. He described the previous cycle of persecution as a "toxic political mindset" and emphasized that eliminating this culture of retaliation was a key pledge of his presidency. According to the President, the Maldives has now moved beyond this era of persecution, allowing democracy to be implemented in its fullest sense. He highlighted his administration's commitment to protecting broad democratic liberties, specifically citing freedom of expression and press freedom. However, the President maintained that these rights are not absolute. He stressed that democratic freedoms must be exercised within the legal frameworks established by the Constitution of the Maldives and the guiding principles of Islam.