EU questions government over freedom of gathering

European Union has questioned Maldivian government over the extent of freedom provided in the country for Maldivians to gather in public spaces.

The questions were raised during EU ambassador to Maldives and Sri Lanka, David Daley’s meeting with Maldivian Home Minister Umar Naseer on Tuesday.

Umar said that restrictions of freedom of gathering was placed only in Male’, and that people can freely gather about everywhere else in the country.

He said that gatherings can be held anywhere else in Male’, except for the streets. He said that gatherings were no longer allowed on the streets of Male’ to prevent streets from jamming up and inconveniencing pedestrians and people driving vehicles.

All gatherings and rallies in Male’ have been stopped by police of late – sometimes during the planning stage.

Freedom of gathering peacefully is a basic right stated in the country’s constitution.

Daley also discussed implementing an e-voting system in Maldives.

Umar said during the discussion that e-voting needed to be something that people of the country had confidence over. And that the system would be established only if the people agree to it.

He said that the same system was used in South Korea. And that foreign parties that wished to monitor the system would be provided the opportunity to do so.