The Maldives is a republic with a unicameral legislature and an elected President as both head of state and head of government. As befits a former Sultanate, the President is "the supreme authority to propagate the tenets of Islam" and heads a strong executive. The Cabinet and 8 members of the 50-seat legislature are nominated by the President for 5-year terms. Members of the legislature must be Muslims. The legislature nominates a candidate for President, a Sunni Muslim man, who is then accepted or rejected in a national referendum. The current President began his sixth 5-year term in 2003.

In 2004, members of a special assembly were elected to address constitutional reform. In 2005, the formation of political parties was allowed. Women are not eligible to be nominated for President but may hold other government positions. 2 women were elected and 4 were appointed to the legislature, and 2 women are in the Cabinet. 1 woman was elected and 4 were appointed to the special constitutional assembly. Judicial independence is subject to influence by the legislature.

Discrimination is not addressed in legislation.
Civil law is subordinate to Shari'a law. Impunity is not reported to be a problem.

Access to government information is not provided in law. Freedom of speech and of the press are not guaranteed. Security officials are restricted from monitoring correspondence "except as expressly provided by law." Freedom of expression is limited to protect "the basic tenets of Islam." Political parties can hold public meetings without approval. Journalists accused of irresponsible journalism can be criminally prosecuted, a threat that fosters self-censorship. Foreign publications are freely available, except those deemed objectionable to Islamic values.

Authorities block websites deemed pornographic, as well as a site which is a source of pro-opposition publications. Further draconian limits on journalistic freedom were withdrawn by the government following protests. Amnesty International is concerned at reports that repressive measures are being adopted by the government of Maldives to suppress freedom of expression and assembly in the country.

Sunni Islam is the official state religion and citizens must be Muslims; public practice of any religion other than Islam is prohibited, though foreign residents can practise their religion privately.

Homosexuality is illegal, on penalty of whipping or banishment for up to a year. Social discrimination against homosexuals is reported.

Education is not compulsory, but universal access to free primary education is available. Equal access to education is provided for boys and girls, but parents often end formal education for girls on completion of primary school and keep them from leaving their home island for secondary school. High dropout rates at every stage rapidly reduce the number of students in higher grades. A shortage of trained teachers is reported, but the Minister of Education is confident of meeting the Education For All goals before 2015. Reports of physical and psychological abuse of children by teachers and parents are noted.

A 3-year programme begins at age 3. At this level 30% of education is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 45%. There are 499 ECE teachers (96% female), of whom 50% are trained. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 22 : 1.

Education is free for ages 6 to 12. Primary school begins at age 6 and lasts 7 years. The NER is 90% (48% female). 11% of students repeat grades. There are 3,644 primary teachers (64% female), of whom 61% are trained. The PTR is 18 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 13 and lasts 5 years. At this level 9% of education is private. 41% of students in upper secondary education study in technical vocational programmes. The NER is 51%. There are 2,088 secondary teachers, 1,781 (15% female) in lower secondary and 307 (39% female) in upper secondary, and 81% of them are trained. The PTR is 15 : 1 in lower secondary and 8 : 1 in upper secondary.

73 students study in tertiary institutions. Also, 1,046 Maldivian students study abroad, mainly in Malaysia (542), Australia (232), the UK (115), New Zealand (42) and India (34).

The rights of persons with physical or mental disabilities are not protected in law. Special education programmes are available for hearing-impaired and visually impaired people. Students with physical disabilities have been integrated into regular school classes. The Institute for Needy People cares for disabled persons who lack family support.

The law does not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. The 1,200 scattered coral islands of Maldives lie so low in the Indian Ocean that some were briefly swamped by the Asian tsunami. Maldives is looking for assistance from the international community to help avoid the islands' becoming inundated by rising sea levels, causing the population to become refugees.

The only distinct ethnic minority is a community of several hundred Indians. There is also a religious minority, belonging to the Shi'a branch of Islam. A more recently arrived minority are Sri Lankans, who work in the tourist resorts because Muslim Maldivians do not work in facilities serving alcohol. Some resentment by unemployed local Maldivians against the employed minority groups is reported. As a result of efforts to meet Education For All goals, discussion is now taking place on education of minorities.

Reports do not indicate restriction of academic freedom, except that anyone questioning the government's interpretation of Islam suffers harassment and intimidation.

Women have a subordinate role in society but are increasingly active in public life; 39% of government employees are female and their literacy rate is reported at 98%. Women doing the same job as men are paid the same salary. Sexual harassment is not dealt with in law. Early marriage is common. Shari'a law applies in inheritance, divorce and testimony, where women have fewer rights than men.

Violence against women is not prohibited in law, and domestic violence takes place, though police report few complaints of violence against women.

The minimum age for work is 14. Children under 18 cannot be employed by government or in hazardous labour. Child labour is a problem in agriculture, fishing and small family enterprises.

The right to form or join a trade union, to bargain collectively and to strike are not provided for in law. Joint associations of employers and employees have been formed. Public sector salaries form the basis of contracts in the private sector. Reports vary on the level of support required to provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family. Forced or compulsory labour is not prohibited, but reports do not cite such practice.