MDP MPs Admits ‘Mistake’ in Failing to Repeal Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act

Opposition MP Meekail Ahmed Nasym has admitted it was a “big mistake” for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) not to repeal restrictions on public gatherings when it held a supermajority in parliament.

The MP for South Galolhu made the remarks in the People’s Majlis while presenting his bill to repeal provisions of the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act that require prior permission for protests in parts of Malé.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Meekail said the MDP should have supported an earlier repeal bill submitted by former Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir during the 19th parliament, when the party controlled both the presidency and a large majority in the Majlis. “The bill was submitted by Kaashidhoo MP Jabir and it has been in parliament for a long time. It was a big mistake to keep it,” he told MPs, adding that it is rare for political parties to openly acknowledge their own mistakes. He said the MDP now “proudly” accepts that decision as an error and argued that political parties have a responsibility to work together to protect fundamental rights.

He linked the continued existence of the law to the government’s decision to prosecute people arrested during three recent protests, claiming the Prosecutor General’s Office made a “sudden” decision not to press charges against those detained during the 3 October demonstration while his repeal bill was being debated.

Meekail argued that the Act is incompatible with Article 32 of the Maldivian Constitution, which he noted guarantees every individual the right to peaceful assembly without prior authorisation from the state. He said the primary aim of his bill was to give people the greatest possible opportunity to fully enjoy constitutionally protected freedoms.

The Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act was first passed under former president Abdulla Yameen. At the time, the then-opposition MDP strongly opposed the legislation, staging rallies and protests against it. However, despite winning the 2018 presidential election and then securing a supermajority in parliament in 2019, the party did not move to amend or repeal the Act while it was in power.

Ruling party MPs opposed Meekail’s bill during Wednesday’s debate. Baarashu MP Ibrahim Shujau, who served in the 18th parliament, said he had voted in favour of the law when it was initially passed and still supported it. He noted that former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was among the politicians who had publicly spoken against the Act when it was introduced, but did not repeal it during his term in office. Shujau argued that this showed the legislation was correctly placed and did not need to be removed, and said he did not support the proposed bill.

He also referred to a case submitted to court by Central Hithadhoo MP and former journalist Ahmed Azaan Marzooq, stating that at the time the Attorney General’s Office had maintained the law did not contradict the Constitution.

While MDP MPs backed the bill proposed by their colleague, members of the ruling party voiced strong opposition. 

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously pledged to lift restrictions on the right to assembly in Malé City through parliament after his 2023 election victory, but his administration has yet to submit its own bill to address the issue.