President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that the enforcement of democratic freedom in its broadest manner has freed Maldives from the spirit of political retaliation.
While speaking during the 61st Independence Day celebration, the President said the current government has ensured Maldives' democratic freedom like never before.
He continued by saying that no party will experience any difficulty in conducting political activities, and that the current government continues to grant permission to opposition parties in using schools and halls for their internal elections.
"We continue to grant the leaders of opposition parties the opportunities to conduct their activities how they see fit," said President Muizzu said while speaking at the 61st Independence Day ceremony.
President Muizzu said his administration has not arrested or detained any political leader, unlike previous governments. He said the Maldives had developed a pattern in which former Presidents were imprisoned after a new President took office.
However, President Muizzu said that the current government pledged to rid the country of the spirit of political retaliation.
"We have freed the country from the 'poisonous spirit' of political retaliation. There is no longer political persecution in this country. Otherwise, political leaders would be subjected to injustice simply for being in the opposition," President Muizzu said.
"We have given political leaders freedom. We are enforcing democracy in its purest form."
The President highlighted that the current government has extensively provided assembly and freedom of the press, with places where people can assemble having been increased by the government.
President Muizzu also pointed out that funding was approved for media organizations from the state budget, with work on the Media Village (where media offices can operate out of) to be finished soon.
Additionally, the President said the current government has assured judiciary freedom as well, and said that as financial matters are the biggest obstacle for the judiciary, the current government has increased the budget for the judicial sector. He also stated spacious buildings have been acquired for the courts.
While stating that work on the Superior Court complex has begun, President Muizzu said it will come into use in 2029. He said that this would be true freedom for the judicial industry.
The government has signed an agreement with MTCC in constructing the largest court complex as of yet in Maldives. The complex will be built in Hulhumale' and as per the agreement, the practical work is to finish within 720 days.
The Housing Ministry said the building will have 14 floors, and is designed to accommodate the High Court, Civil Court, Criminal Court, Family Court, Drug Court, Juvenile Court and the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA).
