The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has condemned the mocking and ridiculing of children with autism and Down syndrome in Raajje TV’s program “Kaala Baisa”. In the program, former MP of Nolhivaram constituency Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla (Mosta) and former Colonel Ahmed Fayaz Ali Riza (Papa Fayaz) mocked such children in connection with political discussions.
HRCM stated that they condemn the program for belittling people with disabilities, portraying them as inferior, and speaking about them in a mocking tone. The commission also emphasized that people with disabilities have equal human rights like other members of society.
“Every person has the right to live with dignity and honor. Therefore, we appeal to all media to refrain from such actions and to be mindful of presenting audio, visual, and information content in a way that does not undermine the human rights and dignity of any individual in society,” HRCM stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The commission has also called on relevant authorities to investigate such cases.
