Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has issued an urgent appeal for the preservation of societal harmony, warning that entrenched hostility and animosity threaten the nation's social fabric. In a statement shared on social media, he called on citizens to safeguard the community's shared destiny and moral values.
Expanding on this plea, Vice President Latheef stressed the divisive nature of discord between individuals and groups, cautioning that such tensions undermine the cohesion essential for a harmonious society. He urged political parties to model professionalism, advocating for a standard of conduct that could inspire the wider public to protect the nation's shared aspirations.
The vice president's remarks followed a controversial incident during an anti-government demonstration organised by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The protests, which have persisted in Malé since 7 March, took a contentious turn on 12 March, when a party member reportedly directed harmful language at the son of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
Reacting to the allegations levelled during the demonstration, President Dr Muizzu's family categorically denied the claims and condemned the verbal attack on their son, Umair Mohamed Muizzu. In a statement, the family expressed their dismay at what they described as baseless accusations and the use of abusive language against a minor.
Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla also weighed in, strongly condemning the incident. In a social media post, he urged authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and impose the maximum legal penalties on those found guilty of exploiting children for political purposes.
The speaker described the MDP’s actions as a violation of a child's rights, rooted in political hostility and personal vendettas. He further criticised the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) for what he perceived as a lack of decisive action, calling on the commission to take preventative measures.
The ECM, in its response, issued a statement reminding political parties of their obligations under the Political Parties Act and the Constitution. It also called on the MDP to ensure that all political activities adhere strictly to these legal frameworks.
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) joined the chorus of criticism, condemning the use of harmful language directed at a child. The commission also stressed that such actions fall outside the bounds of freedom of expression and underscored the constitutional and legal safeguards protecting children's dignity and honour.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage. Cabinet ministers, heads of state-owned institutions, and members of the public have voiced their condemnation, echoing the vice president and speaker of parliament’s calls for accountability. Many have underscored the urgent need to shield children from becoming collateral in political disputes.