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.
09 Aug 2016, 9:00 AM
A ruling party lawmaker introduced today a bill requiring written permission from the police force for street protests in the Maldives’ congested capital, Malé.
Abdulla ‘Bochey’ Rifau, an MP with the Progressive Party of the Maldives, said the proposed changes to the Freedom of Assembly Act, was aimed at “ensuring everyone can safely exercise their right to assembly.”
Rallies, protests and demonstrations have become a “public nuisance and pose dangers to public safety,” he argued.
MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, an opposition MP, condemned the bill as unconstitutional, noting Article 32 of the constitution guarantees the right to assemble without prior notice.
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