The opposition alliance, consisting of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC), revealed that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) only approved a virtual rally on the occasion of Victory Day.
Speaking at a press conference held over the matter, PNC Vice President Ibrahim Shujau stated that the agency had rejected attempts to hold a physical gathering, citing public health concerns regarding COVID-19.
At present, gatherings of over 30 people are prohibited as a protective measure to control the spread of COVID-19 in the capital.
The PNC Vice President revealed that the opposition initially lodged the request with the Male' City Council, seeking to hold the rally at the Alimas Carnival area. However, he noted that the city council declined to provide permission, stating that only HPA had the authority to approve such a gathering.
Shujau went on to claim that HPA regularly permitted government activities unfairly, such as granting approval for the Managing Directors of certain state-owned companies to travel to other inhabited islands and interact with residents.
HPA continues to maintain stringent controls over public gatherings, particularly concerning opposition protests and demonstrations against controversial sexual assault cases. Meanwhile the remaining rules implemented to control the spread of COVID-19 are being gradually relaxed to reflect improvements in the situation.
On July 14, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared that protests and all forms of public gatherings could not be held without prior written approval. Local rights groups, activists, and some parliamentarians have slammed the prohibition as being "unconstitutional".
Maldives marks Victory Day every November 3, to commemorate the state's defeat of Abdulla Luthfee and Sagar Ahmed Nasir's attempt in 1988 to overthrow the government by taking over the National Security Service (NSS) with the help of armed militants from Sri Lanka's People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). The attack resulted in the death of 11 Maldivian civilians and eight military personnel.
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