The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Police summon Nimal, Mohamed over PPM, PNC protest

Mariyam Malsa
28 July 2020, MVT 14:07
OPPOSITION PROTEST PPM
Mariyam Malsa
28 July 2020, MVT 14:07

Maldives Police Service, on Monday, issued a summons for People's National Congress (PNC) Vice President Mohamed Nimal and former Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail, over the opposition protest held in the capital city of Male' last Thursday.

PNC vice president Nimal was ordered to present himself at 1600 hrs on July 29 while the former parliamentarian was instructed to answer the summons at 1500 hrs on the same day.

As per the police order, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and PNC staged Thursday's protest in violation of the Freedom of Assembly Act in a manner that impeded the freedom of movement accorded to other pedestrians.

Additional accusations against the two individuals include protesting against a constitutionally elected government, encouraging citizens to break the law and obstructing law enforcement.

Attended by leading members of PPM and PNC, the procession dodged two attempts by the police to block it. Two individuals were arrested during the protest in which demonstrators demanded the resignations of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and severely criticized his policies.

On July 14, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared that street protests, marches, parades, and all other public gatherings could only be held with prior written approval by Maldives Police Service.

The declaration was made under Section 24 (f) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2013, a contentious amendment ratified during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration in the wake of several protests held by the then-opposition and current ruling party.

Despite the government's present stance on the issue, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which was the main opposition during Yameen's administration, had lambasted the amendment when it was first implemented, stating it was unconstitutional and in violation of the fundamental right to assembly.

However, following the change in administration in late 2018, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government did not repeal the prickly law, although it was seldom enforced until the home ministry's announcement this week.

In addition to several local activists, parliamentarians, rights groups and the Bar Council, the international NGO Human Rights Watch also condemned the government's decision as a violation of fundamental rights.

Share this story

Related Stories

Discuss

MORE ON NEWS