Maldives

The most significant human rights problems included reports of a politicized and inefficient judiciary; the detention of political prisoners, including via trials with procedural irregularities; and efforts by the courts and police to restrict freedoms of speech and assembly. Other human rights problems included the use of flogging as a punishment, harassment of journalists, abuse and unequal treatment of women, restrictions on religious freedom, reports of corruption of government officials, employment discrimination on the basis of political opinion, and discrimination against foreign laborers. Migrant laborers experienced labor abuses and were the primary victims of human trafficking. The government did not take steps to prosecute and punish police and military officers who committed abuses.