MUO: Government unresponsive to requests for a place to hold gathering

Maldives United Opposition has said that government had been unresponsive to requests made by them for a place to hold their long-planned gathering.

During a press conference held by MU on Wednesday, Deputy Leader of Adhaalath Party, Ali Zahir said that government had been unresponsive to their requests for a place to hold their gathering, but that the gathering would be held regardless.

Zahir said that the gathering would be held at Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) “Haruge”, and expressed hope they would be allowed to hold the gathering without any unnecessary restrictions placed on it.

He expressed confidence police officers would be fully cooperative.

Zahir said that the Maldivian Constitution and laws made it the duty of all state authorities to give room for opposition political activities.

Ministry of Housing is unavailable for comment regarding the comments made by MUO at the moment.

MUO had announced last week that the gathering had been re-scheduled to July 21 due to bad weather.

Ministry of Housing had withdrawn permission given to hold the original gathering at Alimas Carnival, with Housing Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu calling both the planned gathering and MUO “illegal”.