Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday declared that street protests, marches, parades, and other gatherings can only be held with "prior written approval by Maldives Police Service", with the exemption of the comparatively secluded carnival area in the Henveiru ward of capital Male'.
The declaration is in accordance with the controversial first amendment ratified by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act on August 23, 2016.
At the time, the former opposition and the current ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had slammed the amendment as unconstitutional and in violation of the fundamental right to assembly.
Opposing the amendments during the Yameen-administration, incumbent president and then-parliamentary representative for Hinnavaru, Lhaviyani Atoll, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had stated that Maldivians need not adhere to restrictions imposed on the constitutional right.
Following the change in administration, the stance on the policy appears to have changed as well. Although Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla stated that the government intends to ensure citizens their right to express and assemble to the fullest extent, he believes that such opportunities can be granted without the need to repeal the contentious amendment.
The bill has been held up since the home minister opposed lifting the restrictions in November 2019.
— Junayd (@mjunayd) July 15, 2020
“If the amendment is completely annulled, we might face problems that can disrupt the system,” @ShimranAb said at the time.https://t.co/Zwe6y6Xc08
There is no such thing as democracy, justice, fairness. There is no such thing as a government for people! Deal with it. Everyone turns evil once they get that power👹 yesterday they fought against all things evil, and today they justifies it becos they like that power🤷♀️
— hyfa (@ihyfaaa) July 14, 2020
The ministry's announcement comes in the wake of multiple protests staged during the month of July, including marches by exploited expatriate workers demanding unpaid wages, child and women rights groups, as well as by the opposition coalition.
If the intention is to stop migrant protests, this doesn't work and this is only an escalation of violence. Because the underlying frustrations haven't gone away, and the spontaneous protests will keep happening.
— Abdulla 🎭 Faraz (@n3m6) July 14, 2020
State violence against migrants is unacceptable. https://t.co/nv0n0Uowqw
A number of citizens have expressed concern over the lacklustre response by parliamentarians from the supermajority holding MDP, noting that parliament, the legislative body of the state, has complete authority to repeal laws which infringe basic human rights.
Convenient to tweet out a perfunctory tweet regarding this. But the real work is not being done. Care to explain why this bill has not been passed? https://t.co/XYyr8F7Liv https://t.co/WhhVR4a2Xj
— zaydamjad 🎈 (@zaydamjad) July 15, 2020
"The bill to repeal the first amendment brought to the Freedom of Public Assembly Act remains parked in parliament for close to a year. Lacking sincerity for progressive reforms is why such [injustices] fester", tweeted parliamentarian for Vilimale', MP Ahmed Usham.
We gave them all they wanted
— Mohamed Ruwaidh Nimreeh (@MRuwaidh) July 14, 2020
Presidency ✅
Parliament Super Majority ✅
Its the same story still!
Where is the difference you promised? https://t.co/uTae76vi41
Various ruling party lawmakers have expressed concern over the implementation of the bill. However, public ire remains focused on the MPs, demanding visible action over matters instead of social media responses.
I fail to understand why MPs are tweeting their disapproval about the protest ban, when they can reverse it quite easily.
— Junayd (@mjunayd) July 15, 2020
Parliament was run on steroids day and night, when there was political will to do so. https://t.co/PvYhCSgc2p
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the country, Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s nationwide safety protocols deny gatherings of over 30 persons within a specified area.
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