MDP Submits Fishermen’s Protest Crackdown to ILO After Arrests
MDP memebers during a protest calling for the release of those arrested during the BKMU protests. | Photo: MDP
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has submitted a complaint to the International Labour Organization (ILO) over what it described as a police crackdown on a peaceful protest by yellowfin tuna fishermen, which led to the arrest of several individuals, including Kendhoo constituency MP Mauroof Zakir.
The protest took place on Thursday afternoon, when fishermen gathered in their boats near the channel outside the official jetty in Malé, demanding that the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) purchase their yellowfin tuna catch. Police later broke up the demonstration and made multiple arrests.
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The Criminal Court subsequently ordered the five-day detention of three people, including MP Zakir, who is also a co-founder and the general secretary of the Fishermen’s Union, to allow for further investigation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the MDP accused the government of obstructing fishermen’s efforts to secure their rights and of unlawfully extending the detention of those arrested. The party said it had raised the matter with the ILO in response to what it described as violations of workers’ rights.
މަސައްކަތްތެރިންގެ ހައްގުގައި އަޑުއުފުލަމުންދަނިކޮށް ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ މެންބަރަކު ޤާނޫނާ ހިލާފަށް ހައްޔަރުކުރި މައްސަލަ އިންޓަރނޭޝަނަލް ލޭބަރ އޮގަނައިޒޭޝަނަށް ހުށަހެޅުންhttps://t.co/TpeJE01gh9 pic.twitter.com/CrJhc4iIVG— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) December 13, 2025
“The submission requested that the necessary steps be taken immediately to ensure the protection of those who work to promote and protect the rights of workers,” the MDP said.
The party also urged the ILO to instruct the government to begin genuine consultations with representatives of the fishermen to resolve their grievances, and called for the immediate release of all individuals detained during the protest.
The development follows Zakir’s release from police custody on Saturday after he was taken to hospital for a medical emergency. The Maldives Police Service said Zakir had requested to see a doctor while in custody and was examined by the custodial medical officer before being referred to hospital for further treatment. Police confirmed that he was released after receiving medical care.
Responding to speculation on social media regarding the treatment of detainees, police said they uphold standards that protect the basic human rights of those in custody and place the highest priority on detainees’ wellbeing. Police warned that unfounded allegations could cause unnecessary public concern and undermine trust in the institution.
The fishermen’s protest and subsequent arrests have drawn increasing political and public attention, as calls grow for dialogue between the government and the fishing community over longstanding concerns in the sector.
