No detained woman has been beaten or sexually harassed: Police

Police have said that no woman detained following the protests on Parliament opening day have been beaten or sexually harassed.

A statement released by the Police says that several women were detained following the unrest in Male’ on 19 March; however, Amnesty International’s allegations of sexual assault and violence against these women are untrue. Police condemned this statement by Amnesty International, which is misleading to the public.

“We do not believe that Amnesty International conducted any investigation into the matter before publishing this statement,” the Police said.

Police said that rules and regulations of Police Act and the Constitution are followed in detaining people and conducting searches on them when necessary. Moreover, minimum force is used in carrying out these responsibilities.

All arrests were made that day in the presence of the media and human rights commission, and any acts of violence against the women would have been observed by these groups, say the Police.

Police also said that searches will be conducted whenever necessary, but it will be done according to standards and rules.