The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) with 26 human rights organizations, has strongly condemned the Maldives Police Service (MPS) for using excessive force against peaceful protesters in Malé on October 3, 2025.
The groups said the police actions including the use of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) were a serious violation of the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression guaranteed under the Maldivian Constitution and international law.
According to the statement, both the Police and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) staged an intimidating show of force ahead of the protest by deploying armed vehicles, blocking routes, and stopping boats to discourage people from joining. Once the protest began, officers used pepper spray at close range against demonstrators and journalists.
One protester suffered a cardiac emergency after being sprayed and remains in medical care. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) said while there is no direct proof linking pepper spray to heart attacks, exposure can cause stress or anxiety that may worsen existing conditions.
The rights groups also condemned the use of LRADs powerful sound devices originally designed for military use to drown out protesters’ voices and disperse crowds. They warned that LRADs can cause serious ear and nerve damage, especially in a crowded city like Malé, where children and elderly people are also exposed.
The organizations said this marks a dangerous move toward the militarization of policing in the Maldives. They also raised concerns about the lack of transparency around how the police purchased and used LRADs, saying no public safety rules or guidelines have been shared.
At least eight protesters were arrested during the rally. The groups said the arrests and use of force violate both national and international human rights obligations.
The joint statement called on the Maldivian government to:
- Immediately stop using LRADs and other military-type devices in protests;
- Investigate the purchase and use of LRADs by the police
- Take action against officers responsible for violence
- Release all peaceful protesters detained during the rally; and
- Amend the Peaceful Assembly Act (2013) to fully protect the right to peaceful protest.
The groups welcomed news that the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has launched an investigation into the October 3 crackdown. They urged the Commission to ensure the probe is independent, transparent, and free from political pressure.
The statement ended by reminding the Muizzu government that peaceful assembly is a democratic right, and that policing must be based on necessity, fairness, and legality not fear or force.
