Fayyaz: Merely being concerned not enough, MDP should join youth protests

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has appealed to all members to join the ongoing youth-led serial protests, citing that merely being concerned is no longer enough and action is now necessary.

He made the appeal while delivering the concluding remarks at an emergency convening of MDP’s National Council held on Friday night.

During tonight’s meeting, members of MDP’s National Council voiced their support for the youth-led protests, emphasizing that the party should join them.

The youth-led protests demand justice for the young woman who was found injured on the rooftop of a building in Male’ on April 18^th.

Police used force to disperse Thursday night’s protest, including using pepper spray. They also arrested two protestors who were remanded in custody for three days by the Criminal Court on Friday.

The two protestors have been identified as Aishath Shiman Ahmed, 19, M. Hasthee and Abdulla Mahzoom Majidh, 28, Bageechage, N. Kudafari, former MDP administration’s deputy youth minister. They are both key organizers of the protests.

Fayyaz called for the immediate release of both Shiman and Mahzoom.

Pro-government activists have accused MDP of orchestrating the youth-led protests with the intention of destabilizing the country.

However, Fayyaz refuted these claims, stating that the youths have merely sought the party's support—requesting help with equipment and encouraging participation from MDP’s youth members in the protests.

He appealed to all MDP members to participate in the youth’s pursuit of justice, and in this trajectory, appealed for youths based in atolls to come to Male’ to partake in the protests.

“I appeal to all MDP members and all citizens of the Maldives to take part in the crucial work being undertaken by these youths and participate in their activities alongside them. More importantly, I call on all youths, even those based in islands, to come to Male’ and participate in their activities,” he said.

The youths persevered despite Police using force to disperse Thursday night’s protest and the subsequent arrests – shifting the protest location to Carnival area on Friday night.