The Ministry of Social and Family Development has filed an official complaint with the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) seeking reprimand against a local television station for derogatory remarks against people with disabilities.
Local TV station ‘Raajje TV’ on Saturday night aired a programme during which the host and guests mocked and ridiculed people with disabilities, describing them as inferior and unintelligent, which has since sparked public outrage.
In a statement, the Ministry said that all such violations against persons with disabilities and their human dignity are prohibited by international conventions, Maldives’ Constitution and laws. Despite such protections, the Ministry expressed grave concern over the broadcast of content by a local media outlet that has degraded the dignity of people with disabilities.
The Ministry said the incident undermines its efforts to build a compassionate society for people and children with disabilities, adding that the repetition of such incidents opens the door to the spread of speech that degrades the human dignity of people with disabilities.
So, the Ministry has asked Broadcom to take action against the media outlet for broadcasting such derogatory content.
The Ministry urged all relevant authorities to ensure the human dignity and rights of the population that need special protection assuring that it will continue to fight for the rights of persons with disabilities.