A/HRC/43/50/Add.2 55. The Government must speak out clearly, unequivocally and regularly against fundamentalist ideology at the highest levels and across the board, and affirm the importance of heritage, culture, arts and music, and internationally guaranteed human rights, notwithstanding fundamentalist claims against them. The need for a loud and clear counternarrative to the fundamentalist narrative is stark and must be carried by many voices, including from all levels of government, civil society, individuals, experts and religious leaders. While admittedly important short-term political concerns may be allowed to outweigh taking such a stance, a failure to do so may condemn important aspects of the rich culture of Maldives to the dustbin of history and will put cultural rights, and many other human rights, gravely at risk in the medium- and long-term. 56. The Special Rapporteur was concerned to be told by the Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs that no Maldivians wish to see the religious practices of those who are not Muslim. If this is the case, human rights education emphasizing the diversity of cultural expressions and the values of tolerance and mutual understanding is urgently needed. She was disturbed to learn that a religious leader who had spoken out against extremism and for tolerance in his sermons, and who had received threats for doing so, was reportedly told by local officials to discontinue his work. Recently, the Government also dissolved the Maldivian Democratic Network, an important human rights organization, giving in to the pressure of those who did not accept its report on the rise of fundamentalism in Maldives. 7 Such voices are essential, and those who work against fundamentalism and extremism must have full support, expressed loudly from all sectors of society, and must be adequately protected. Increased dialogue between religious scholars and other people about religion is also important, as is the provision of further education and information about religion that is in keeping with human rights. 57. Encouraging cultural rights and cultural diversity, recognizing the syncretic nature of religious and cultural practice, using culture to combat boredom and afford space, exploration and expression, especially for young people, and teaching the complexity of Maldivian history, as well as arts and culture, are essential for combating fundamentalism. It is also important to combat fundamentalist ideology through education and to find mechanisms that respect human rights for doing so on the Internet and on social media. Moreover, it is necessary to recognize and address the causes of the rise of fundamentalism, including support or acquiescence by current and former government officials, and economic and social challenges. Vulnerable spheres, such as prisons, gangs and the Internet, need particular attention, as do young people. 58. Fundamentalist ideology has resulted in violence, including the disappearance and reported murder of journalist and poet Ahmed Rilwan; the killing of blogger and satirist Yameen Rasheed, who campaigned to find Mr. Rilwan; and the killing of politician and religious scholar Afrasheem Ali, who had reportedly expressed liberal views about women’s attire, music and apostasy. The first two were secularists. All were determined to have been killed by a local affiliate of Al-Qaida. Those killings had a harmful impact on the cultural expression of others, and many expressed fear about their recurrence, despite recent political changes. It is just such fear and silence that the perpetrators probably hoped to cause. The Special Rapporteur is dismayed to learn of reports that some witnesses have been intimidated. The Special Rapporteur salutes the work of the Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances and hopes that its recommendations will be fully implemented without delay, in accordance with international standards, and that all alleged perpetrators will be brought to justice. 59. In addition to truth, justice and accountability, which are essential, it is also important to memorialize the victims of fundamentalist violence so as to counter the vilification campaigns against them, which in some cases took place before and after their murders. 7 See communication MDV 1/2019, 7 November 2019, available at spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=24923, and Government response 2020/OHCHR/03, 15 January 2020, available at spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=35112. 11