Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has said that they will be making inquiries into the excessive force used by the Maldives Police Service to break up the protest rally against sexual harassment in the work place, under the anti-torture law.

Police officers beat and used pepper spray on the faces of both protesters and the journalist covering the event.

Images and videos of the police brutality has hit social media including a video of a woman being pepper sprayed in the face after being handcuffed behind her and dropped on the ground.

HRCM took to Twitter today condemning the actions of the police stating that the right of public gathering is owed to every citizen and the freedom must be provided to every citizen to exercise that right.

Home Minister Imran Abdulla said an investigation will be launched into the police brutality last night. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed has ordered an inquiry by the Professional Standard Command of the Police in to the events of last night.