2025 Maldivian protests

Protests against the media bill began the day it passed, 21 September 2025, with both the main union of journalists, and opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) coordinating protests.^[1] Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih called the media bill the "end of press freedom" and urged his supporters to take to the streets to protest.^[1] They would be joined by the Bar Council of the Maldives, which administers the country's bar exams and the governing body for lawyers.^[1] By early October the MDP revived and broadened protests, this time centered around alleged widespread graft, rising prices, as well as the media law, with the chant "Lootuvaifi" ("Stop the Loot!") becoming their rallying cry.^[4] These protests saw clashes with the police in the capital with police using pepper spray and Long-Range Acoustic Devices to disperse the protesters.^[4]

On 3 October 2025 the Maldivian police arrested eight protesters for protesting in unauthorized spaces and deviating from the agreed route of the protests, as well as for throwing bricks and stones at the police.^[5][3] The police response was disproportionate.^[6][3] The rally drew an estimated 2,500 protesters with several leading politicians from the MDP addressing the crowd issuing a series of demands to the government.^[7] The MDP also called for the government of President Mohamed Muizzu to resign.^[3] Eight protesters would be arrested, including former MPs Yaugoob Abdulla and Yasir Abdul Latheef, Maafushi Council President Hassan Solah, and Addu City Councillor Hassan Zareer.^[7] Also, Mohamed Raslan, a MDP councilor, suffered a heart attack after being pepper sprayed.^[7] The protests ended at midnight.^[7]

On October 4 the government issued a statement reaffirming their "commitment to upholding democratic rights, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly" but that the protesters the night before had "defied the[ir] designated route and forced their way into Majeedhee Magu, - the busiest street in the Capital Male" forcing the police reaction.^[8] The Maldives Independent interviewed protesters on October 5, many of whom cited the general economic downturn, cost of living, as well as perceived corruption as to why they were protesting.^[9] The media bill would be passed in late October and signed into law.^[10]

The events of October 3 would be the only concerted mass protests in opposition to the bill. The MDP held another rally on November 1 but this time centering around rent prices.^[11] Shortly after the MDP announced they were planning another, "larger" “Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi” rally scheduled for November 17, however, ultimately cancelled due to failing to secure a venue.^[12] The following day the Prosecutor General’s Office announced a decision to not prosecute any of those arrested during the protests, essentially offering a general amnesty which the MDP voiced support for.^[13]

• United States: The day the bill passed the United States Embassy in Malé issued a statement condemning the bill, and calling on the government to “uphold the freedoms of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices.”^[1]
• United Kingdom: During the protests the British Government issued a travel warning to potential tourists to the Maldives, stating "Terrorist attacks in Maldives cannot be ruled out" and for British nationals to "Avoid any protests or rallies to ensure your safety and security."^[14]