President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the Maldives has moved beyond political vendettas and the culture of oppression, saying his Administration has created an environment where democratic freedoms can be exercised without restriction.

Speaking at the official Maldives' 61st Independence Day ceremony, President Dr Muizzu said the country could only achieve true internal independence when democracy is allowed to function in its fullest form. He added that the Maldivian people had embraced democracy and that his Administration had provided greater democratic freedoms than any previous government.

The President said there were now no restrictions on political activities, noting that the Government had made school halls and other State facilities available for opposition parties to conduct internal elections and meetings. He said opposition leaders had been given the freedom to carry out political activities without interference and that no political leader or former president had been imprisoned under his Administration.

Drawing comparisons with previous governments, President Dr Muizzu said Maldivian politics had long been characterised by the imprisonment of former presidents following changes in government and a cycle of political retaliation. He said his Administration had fulfilled its pledge to end that practice.

President Dr Muizzu said there was no longer a spirit of political revenge in the country, adding that the Government had freed the Maldives from what he described as the poisonous culture of political vendettas and ended the culture of oppression.

The President also said the Government had strengthened civil liberties by ending the practice of imprisoning individuals for holding opposing political views and expanding freedom of assembly. He added that financial assistance had been provided to journalists, measures had been taken to support a free press, and work was underway to establish a Media Village for journalists.

On judicial reform, President Dr Muizzu said the judiciary had previously operated under directives from the President's Office but that his Administration no longer interfered with judges or pressured them to deliver particular rulings. He said the judiciary had also been granted financial independence, while construction of the Male’ Court Complex was underway to address longstanding space constraints within the judicial system.