Amnesty: Maldives’ rights abuses contrasts paradise image
Maldives’ first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed, resigned in February, triggering violent demonstrations by his supporters who said he was ousted from power.
Amnesty International says police and military personnel used unnecessary force against peaceful demonstrators.
The rights group says that despite the transfer of presidential power, security forces continue to commit human rights violations, including beatings and arbitrary detentions and that not a single criminal case has been filed against those responsible.
Amnesty says forces have targeted ministers, lawmakers and supporters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party.
Last week, an internationally-backed commission determined that President Nasheed was not ousted in a coup but instead said the transfer of power was “legal and constitutional.”
The Republic of Maldives is a Muslim-majority nation made up of about 1,200 islands scattered in the Indian ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. The country is famous for its luxury beach resorts and hotels.