Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the security services to ensure the safety and security of parliamentarians.
MDP and The Democrats' decision to refuse voting in favour of granting parliamentary approval to some members of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet led to intense altercations in parliament today. A number of MPs received injuries in the scuffle, with some needing to be taken to hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, protests were being conducted outside the parliament premises.
In a statement released by the majority-holding opposition party, MDP, they alleged that pro-government MPs had initiated the unrest within the parliament halls today, strongly condemning the MPs acts to disrupt the parliament proceedings.
"As the parliamentary approval of cabinet members is a responsibility bestowed on the Majlis under Article 129 of the Constitution, this party believes that the acts of the government affiliated members to intervene and halt the proceeding of the vote is an obstruction of the democratic process," the statement reads.
MDP further pointed out that ensuring the safety of parliament members is the responsibility of the security services. They claimed that in ignoring this responsibility, the security services had failed to take sufficient action in defense of parliamentarians even while the MPs were threatened and thrown rocks at by protestors demonstrating in the green zone.
"We call on all institutions to establish an environment where members of parliament can fulfill their responsibilities and duties," it said.
MDP said that as the protestors were demonstrating in an area declared as a green zone, the security services must have acted without exceptions even if the protestors included government leaders, with a special regard being given to the safety and security of parliamentarians.
Sign In
