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

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### Print

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Possession of publications containing sexually explicit images carry a 6-month jail sentence and a fine.[4] Erotic novels are not considered pornography.

### Internet

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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]

In 2023, as part of a pledge made by president Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldivian government banned all pornographic websites.[10][11]

## References

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1. ^ "Prohibited Items". Maldives Customs Service. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
2. ^ "Nine students arrested in Addu City with pornographic material". Minivan News. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
3. ^ "Maldives Penal Code". University of Pennsylvania Law School. p. 92.
4. ^ "Nurse sentenced to six months in prison for producing, possession of pornographic materials". Sun. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
5. ^ "Maldives". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
6. ^ "vnews - Maldives to block pornographic websites". Vnews.mv. Retrieved 2017-07-12. [permanent dead link]
7. ^ "PG orders Home Minister to block pornographic sites". Sun. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
8. ^ "ބަރަހަނާ ވެބްސައިޓްތައް އޮގަސްޓްގައި ބްކޮލް ކުރަނީ" [Porn websites being banned in August]. AdduLIVE (in Divehi). 26 May 2016. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
9. ^ "Top Sites in Maldives". Alexa. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
10. ^ Rehan, Mohamed (17 December 2023). "President Muizzu pledges to block all explicit websites". The Edition. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
11. ^ "Maldives implements ban on pornographic websites". Avas. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2024.

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