Pornography in the Maldives
In Maldives, the production, possession, sale, dissemination, distribution, or importation of pornography or pornographic material (including sex toys) is illegal.[1][2] It is considered a form of criticizing Islam.[3]
Types of publications[edit]
Print[edit]
Possession of publications containing sexually explicit images carry a 6-month jail sentence and a fine.[4] Erotic novels are not considered pornography.
Internet[edit]
Websites considered 'anti-Islamic' or 'pornographic' content are sometimes blocked by the Communications Authority of the Maldives (CAM) on the request of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.[5] In 2015, the Prosecutor General of the Maldives, Muhuthaz Muhusin, considered blocking all pornographic websites asserting that 'viewing pornographic material may lead to criminal activities' and that accessing such content is 'against Islamic principles.'[6][7] Similar assertions were made by the Home Minister in 2016.[8] However, no such steps were taken.
As of May 2019, several pornographic websites feature in the top 50 most popular websites in the Maldives.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Prohibited Items - Maldives Customs Service". www.customs.gov.mv. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
- ^ "vnews - Nine students from Feydhoo School apprehended over pornographic video". Vnews.mv. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
- ^ "Maldives Penal Code - Section 617".
- ^ "Nurse sentenced to six months in prison for producing, possession of pornographic materials". SunOnline. 2014-12-04. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
- ^ "Maldives | Country report | Freedom of the Press | 2013". Freedom House. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
- ^ "vnews - Maldives to block pornographic websites". Vnews.mv. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
- ^ "PG orders Home Minister to block pornographic sites". SunOnline. 2015-02-12. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
- ^ "Barahanaa sitetha August mahu block kurany". adduLIVE. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
- ^ "Top Sites in Maldives". Alexa. Archived from the original on 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
