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MDP MPs clamour for Nasheed’s release as parliament resumes after recess

Shortly after today’s sitting began at 9:00am, MDP MPs started chanting “Free President Nasheed” and held up banners that read, “Free President Nasheed in line with the UN decision.” The People’s Majlis reconvened for its third and final session of the year today after a one-month recess.

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The parliament’s third session of 2015 started today with MPs of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) clamouring for the release of imprisoned former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Shortly after today’s sitting began at 9:00am, MDP MPs started chanting “Free President Nasheed” and held up banners that read, “Free President Nasheed in line with the UN decision.”

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has ruled that the opposition leader’s imprisonment in March was unlawful, but the government said it “will not be made to act on the basis of a non-binding opinion.”

As a first order of business, Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz was summoned to answer a question about chairs from the Equatorial Convention Centre in Addu City being brought to Malé for Independence Day functions in July.

MPs Mohamed Falah and Mariya Ahmed Didi held up a banner behind Muiz while other continued calls for Nasheed’s release.

MP Ahmed Nihan, parliamentary group leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), advised the speaker to adjourn the sitting as questions and answers could not be heard over the din.

But Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed continued proceedings despite the disorder.

Other pro-government MPs condemned the actions of the opposition lawmakers, saying they were wasting the minister’s time.

Following Nasheed’s arrest on February 22, MDP MPs protested in the chamber with sirens, whistles and megaphones.

The parliament secretariat had cut off live feed of sittings to television stations, but debate and voting on bills continued despite the protests. The PPM and coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance controls a comfortable majority of seats in parliament.

The opposition MPs had suspended their protest in April to seek a negotiated solution to a standoff with the government. But official talks with the government broke down and MPs resumed protesting in parliament after Nasheed was transferred back to jail on August 23.

The party has also resumed its anti-government campaign after a three-month hiatus.

Meanwhile, the second item on today’s agenda was an amendment to the Clemency Act that President Abdulla Yameen had vetoed and returned for reconsideration.

PPM MP Ahmed Thoriq had proposed authorising the president to alter the type of punishments for convicts. The clemency law currently allows the president to alter a penalty to a more lenient punishment only if the law provides the option for lighter penalties.

As there were no further items on the agenda, the speaker adjourned the sitting after four MPs spoke about the bill. Maseeh said the sitting will resume for voting at 1:30pm.

The People’s Majlis reconvened today after a one-month recess.

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