f) Contrary to the Police Act, female protesters were handled and arrested by male police officers. g) There were clear inconsistencies in the duration the police took to issue warnings to the demonstrators before dispersing the demonstrations. h) On some occasions HRCM officials were denied access to detainees. i) Some detained demonstrators informed that they were tortured by MNDF officials at the time of arrest, and this was validated by visible signs on their body observed by HRCM officials. j) The telecommunication connections were terminated near the demonstration site on some occasions using jamming equipment. k) Demonstrating detainees were not informed of their rights upon arrest and HRCM observed that in some cases families of detainees were not informed about the detention as required by the Police Act. l) Excessive, unnecessary and disproportionate use of pepper spray on protestors was observed by HRCM. m) The standard operating procedures of police were not respected during these demonstrations. n) On some occasions Police denied protestors the Freedom of Assembly. 153. The march of MDP protestors towards the Republic Square on February 8, 2012 came to a halt, when riot police stopped them near Maldives Monetary Authority building and sprayed tear gas into the crowd, without prior warning. Although, it was at the entry to a restricted area to have assemblies under the Regulation on Assemblies the police action taken in dispersing the protesters was unnecessary and disproportionate. Many of the demonstrators were baton charged indiscriminately, and pepper sprayed directly on the face, resulting in increased number of injuries among the protestors. A number of protesters were also taken into police custody at the Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre. HRCM Chapter: Article 21: Freedom of Assembly o) Even though the Police are able to control the large crowds of protestors, there are times the assistance of MNDF is sought to disperse a small crowd of demonstrators. 59