Canada has called on the Maldives government to uphold freedom of the press as the international community continues to express concern over the new media control law.
In a post on X, the Canadian High Commission said it "reaffirms the critical importance of media freedom and the need to uphold the shared values of the Commonwealth Charter."
The US and British embassies in the Maldives have also expressed concern over the draconian legislation.
In a post on social media X, the UK High Commission in Maldives noted that leaders of Commonwealth nations agreed that free and responsible journalism is an essential part of a democracy.
The High Commission was referring to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Samoa in October last year.
"... the leaders of the Commonwealth - including the UK and Maldives - reaffirmed the vital role of free, independent, and responsible media in democracy. We urge all partners to honour and uphold the commitments we made together," the post read.
The US Embassy in Maldives also called on the Muizzu administration not to interfere with the right to freedom of the press and expression.
In a post on X, the embassy said the "United States supports freedom of expression, including for journalists, as a fundamental freedom."
"We urge the Maldives and all countries to uphold the freedoms of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices," the post read.
International organizations like the Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have also issued statements expressing concern over the law.
The UN called on the government to repeal the media control law last week. The agency said the draconian law, which restricts freedom of expression, violated international conventions signed by the Maldives.
"UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk appeals to the authorities to repeal the legislation and offers the Office’s assistance to the Maldives in ensuring any media reforms comply with its international human rights obligations," a statement read.
It added that the "new law follows a worrying erosion of institutional checks and balances in the past year."
The European Union (EU) also expressed concern over the law.
But a government delegation was sent abroad, using the people's tax money, to carry out disinformation to the international community and promote the restrictive law. Ministers and MPs have also carried out a disinformation campaign on social media.
Meanwhile, President Mohamed Muizzu dismissed international concern and said spreading corruption is worse than murder, according to the Quran.
He accused journalists of spreading fake news and creating division and said he would not allow them to do so.
"Can they challenge the Quran and write? They can't do that. They can't do that in this country. I don't care what kind of statements they bring from any where [in the world]," Muizzu said.
