Home minister opposes lifting restrictions on freedom of assembly

The freedom of assembly law presently requires written permission from the police.

Sunday roundup: dozen detained from opposition Victory Day protest

A roundup of the day’s top stories.

Raft of legislation submitted to reverse draconian laws

Other proposed changes would require officials of independent bodies to disclose finances.

Police warn of crackdown on ‘unlawful’ opposition protest

The police have warned that the opposition alliance will not be allowed to stage an anti-government demonstration in Malé as planned on Monday.

Police block march for murdered blogger

About 150 people gathered at the artificial beach in Malé when a police officer warned that the march will be stopped if they move to the street.

New bill to give police authority over protests in Malé

A ruling party lawmaker introduced today a bill requiring written permission from the police force for street protests in the Maldives’ congested capital, Malé.

Police crack down on opposition prayer, tea party

Riot police cracked down on the opposition’s weekly prayer gathering and a tea party Friday afternoon using pepper spray and force. The father of jailed MP Ahmed Mahloof was among seven men arrested outside the Islamic centre.

Opposition coalition gears up for first rally

The Maldives United Opposition is gearing up for its rally tonight despite the government’s refusal to grant permission to use a public venue in Malé.

UN envoy arrives in Maldives for proximity talks

Tamrat Samuel is due to begin talks with the government and opposition parties Tuesday, but the imprisonment of opposition leaders, including former President Nasheed and Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran, remains a major stumbling block.

Government in u-turn cancels permit for opposition rally

Despite the withdrawal of the permit, the MDP has said the first rally of the new opposition coalition will go ahead as planned tonight. Maldives United Opposition Spokesman Ahmed Mahloof told said the rally will take place if the weather improves.

MDP celebrates anniversary behind police barricades

The main opposition party has condemned the “unlawful obstruction” of its anniversary parade as well as the “unnecessary harassment and intimidation of the participants.”

Police disperse weekly prayer for political prisoners

Dozens of riot policemen dispersed the opposition’s weekly prayer for political prisoners at Malé’s main mosque on Friday.

Police defend blocking silent march for press freedom

The journalists were not allowed to march as closing down the capital’s main thoroughfare would have caused traffic jams and posed difficulties to pedestrians and businesses, the police said. The journalists accused the police of violating their right to freedom of assembly, which is guaranteed in the constitution “without prior permission of the state.”

Maldives opposition condemns police obstruction of anti-corruption walk

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has said that the government’s infringement of the constitutional right to freedom of assembly shows its “lack of sincerity” in inviting political parties for talks.

MDP meets new police chief, discusses November 6 protest

The police had said in a statement that the acting police chief met with representatives from the MDP yesterday and asked them to reconsider plans to stage a mass protest on November 6 “given the present state of affairs in the country”.

Human rights watchdog calls for review of anti-terrorism law

Draconian anti-terrorism bill passed into law

Opposition MPs warned that the new law would restrict fundamental rights and render the penal code redundant. The “dangerous” law could be used to suppress anti-government activities and jail politicians on trumped up charges, they said. But pro-government MPs defended the legislation, insisting that it was necessary to effectively combat terrorism.

Police impose restrictions on MDP’s nightly street protests

Invoking authority under the Freedom of Assembly Act, which authorises police to order protest organisers to limit gatherings to a specific area, the police said in a letter to the MDP that its protests have posed “numerous difficulties” for pedestrians, businesses and restaurants as well as for tourists staying at guesthouses and hotels in the area.

Verdict in ‘airport protest’ delayed to August 6

Three arrested from opposition protest