The case relates to the reported sexual harassment of the editor of The Edition, Rae Munavvar, by the communications secretary of the president’s office, Hassan Ismail, which allegedly took place at the presidential office in February 2019. According to Munavvar, the communications secretary harassed her and threw her an offer of a training and exclusive access, including on foreign presidential visits if she agreed to spend time with him in a resort or his apartment. Following the incident, The Edition reported the case.

Despite this, nearly a year on and frustrated that the issue had not been taken up for investigation, Munavvar lodged a formal complaint with the President's Office and the Maldives Police on January 21, 2020 and February 4, 2020 respectively.

The IFJ has been informed that despite this, Maldives Police only recently summoned Hassan Ismail on July 12, prompted by outrage after the Edition journalist published a tweet expressing her frustration over the handling of the matter. Maldives police have since advised the case is currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, activists have been protesting at the deficiencies between government assurances and action on the issue of sexual harassment. On July 12, the #JaagaEhNei movement gathered to call for the punishment of the perpetrators of sexual injustices to the fullest extent of the law. 

The IFJ said: “Inaction is akin to impunity for crimes against journalists, which is an issue this administration has vowed strongly to address.  Sexual harassment in the media is a serious issue and there is no excuse for due process on this crime – particularly in the halls of power.”

Read the letter Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih here.