New law a ‘direct attack’ on free expression in Maldives, UN rights expert warns

New York, Aug 11 (Just Earth News): Denouncing a new law in Maldives as a “direct attack” on free speech, a United Nations human rights expert warned on Wednesday that elements of the bill, such as the vague use of religion, social norms and defamation as reasons for punishing expression, contradict not only international norms, but also obligations set out in the country’s own Constitution.