Since last night (16 March), at least 139 peaceful demonstrators in the Maldives have been detained. The demonstrators were protesting the recently declared state of emergency, and for the release of people detained, including members of the opposition.

Responding to these developments, Omar Waraich, Amnesty International’s Deputy South Asia Director, said:

“The Maldivian authorities are using the state of emergency as a licence for heightened repression. Over the past 24 hours, at least 139 people have been detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. They must be released immediately and unconditionally.”