The Maldives: Arrest of Journalists Condemned; Protect Freedom of Press 4 April 2016 7:51 pm (Bangkok, 4 April 2016) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of 16 journalists in the Maldives on 3 April 2016. The arrests followed a violent crackdown on a peaceful demonstration against increasing restrictions on freedom of the press and of expression in the country. FORUM-ASIA calls on the Government of the Maldives to immediately stop the harassment of journalists and ensure the freedom of the press. The Maldivian Police Services resorted to unprovoked violence, using pepper spray, to disperse a peaceful sit-in by journalists and media workers outside the President’s Office in Malé, and arrested 16 journalists. They were later released on the condition that they appear before the police on 4 April 2016. “ Peaceful assembly is a legitimate means for jou