Who we are

In operation since September 2004, the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) is a non-partisan NGO which aims to protect and promote human rights and the values and principles of democracy in the Maldives. Our key areas of work are:

Anti-Torture

Anti- Death Penalty

Police Reforms

Prison Reforms

Research

LGBTQI++ Rights

Freedom of Expression

Enforced Disappearance

Countering Violent Extremism

Protection of Human Rights Defenders

MDN was officially allowed to register in the Maldives on 8 June 2006. Following a violent smear campaign against MDN and its staff lead by extremist religious groups and local clerics and the subsequent arbitrary banning of our organisation in the Maldives in December 2019, MDN continues to operate in exile.

Lawsuits against the arbitrary nature of government action against MDN and the unlawful confiscation of our funds are currently in judicial process.

MDN is a member of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Democracy (FORUM-ASIA) and the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and sits on various working groups and steering groups for human rights in South Asia.