You have the right to insist that the High Commission be notified of your arrest.

If you cannot inform the High Commission yourself, ask a family member or friend to contact the High Commission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Male’.

You have certain rights under Malaysian laws.  (The Malaysian Bar Association provides a leaflet “Police and Your Rights” which outlines some useful Malaysian laws applicable to arrest cases. It is downloadable in pdf on their website www.malaysianbar.org.my)

The Maldives High Commission can neither protect you from the consequences of your actions nor overrule the decisions of local authorities. We can, however, provide consular assistance to Maldivians who are arrested or detained.

What we can do:

• Contact you and visit you in prison
• Provide you with a list of lawyers if you want
• Provide information about the local legal system
• Inform your family or friends of your arrest
• If you feel that you have been ill-treated in any way, we can bring this to the attention of the local authorities
• Monitor your court proceedings and trial

• Get you out of prison
• Pay fines or post bail on your behalf
• Get you special treatment because you are a foreigner or Maldivian citizen
• Pay or provide legal advice or start legal proceedings on your behalf or interfere in local judicial procedures
• Investigate a crime
• Prevent local authorities from deporting you

Local laws and regulations are sometimes complex. Therefore, it may be advisable to retain the services of a lawyer as early as possible, to obtain advice on the best possible course of action. However, you should discuss all costs of legal representation with the lawyer beforehand.

The Malaysian Bar association’s booklet “Police and Your Rights” (The Red Book) outlines information on an individual’s rights when interacting with police in Malaysia. This booklet covers most common situations of interaction between the public and the police, for example when a police officer stops, questions or arrests someone. It is downloadable on their website www.malaysianbar.org.my.

The High Commission will not normally pass on information about your case to any third party without your consent. However, you should be aware that if another Maldivian government authority requires information or if you are arrested for a very serious crime, we are obligated to inform the relevant government authorities.