MDP calls authorities to take action against those threatening MP Rozaina Adam

Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has called authorities to investigates threats aimed at President of the party's Women's Wing and parliament member for the Addu-Meedhoo constituency Rozaina Adam.

The ruling party of the coalition administration MDP has been recently described as "divided into two factions" with party members taking sides after continuous difference in opinions between the party leader President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and President of MDP Speaker Mohamed Nasheed. Rozaina has been known to take President Solih and the administration's side in these differences, being vocally supportive of him while maintaining steady criticism of Nasheed.

As the internal disagreements within MDP have become more heated than ever, which lead to MP Rozaina of being more critical of criticism of Nasheed.

However, due to her reproval of Nasheed, she has become victim of harassment from supporters of Nasheed's faction within the parliament.

In the midst of this internal conflict, in a statement released by the party on Monday, they said that political disagreements should be communicated respectfully.

They said that freedom of speech does not cover hate speech or calling to harm another person, and reiterated that MDP does not support harming other people or committing criminal offenses for any reason.

"This party always believes the constitutional right for free speech should be practiced within the law and so that it does not violate the tenets of Islam," MDP had said in a statement.

It is one of MDP's committed priorities to bring women forward in politics and give them opportunities to go forward in this area.

The party criticized the attacks and threats aimed at Rozaina, one of the only four female parliamentarians at the moment. They condemned the open calls to oppress the President of MDP's Women's Wing and stated such action will only prevent more women from joining politics.

"This party calls on the state authorities to investigate and take appropriate action against people who have been threatening and calling for violence against the President of MDP's Women's Wing and MP of Addu-Meedhoo constituency Rozaina Adam," the statement had said.