Police: Mass gatherings won’t be allowed except on national holidays

Maldives Police Service has said that mass gatherings and public demonstrations would not be allowed except on national holidays and other special days.

A statement issued by the Police today said that they would not allow any mass social gathering or political protest rallies to be held by anyone to celebrate special occasions or days in a way that disrupts daily life and traffic in any part of the country.

In previous press conference, the Police said that public demonstrations would not be allowed on the streets.

While the Police said that upholding the national security and providing a safe environment for the people of Maldives is a constitutional obligation of the Police service in their statement today, Article 32 of the Constitution states that it is the right of every citizen to gather in peaceful protest without prior permission from a state entity.

Police said that no activity of mass gathering would be allowed on the streets on 12 and 13 August.

Maldives Police Service said that they would do whatever is necessary to protect the rights and freedoms granted to the Maldivian people under the Constitution.