We must understand the responsibilities of freedom of expression: President

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that we have to understand the responsibilities associated with the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

Addressing the people of Meemu Mulah today as part of his ongoing tour of Meemu Atoll, the President said that freedoms are not limitless, and that one person’s freedom should not encroach on the rights of other people.

He said that people need to be educated on the limits of freedom of expression and understand the degree of freedom stipulated in the new Constitution. He said that a free and democratic State can only be established and built if these issues are studied and understood by the country’s youth and students.

He highlighted the lack of adequate press freedom in the Maldives earlier, and said that no one will be penalised today for expressing an idea. He said that this is a right guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution. He noted that the Maldives, in the efforts to change the form of government that has existed for many years and establish democracy, is going through a rough period especially in terms of politics.

The President said that people in different parts of the Maldives are waiting impatiently to be provided basic services. He said that it is the responsibility of the officials elected by the people to ensure development and reform in the country. In this regard, he noted that according to the Constitution, it is not solely the responsibility of the President to ensure basic public services to the people; rather, part of the responsibility also lies with other State institutions.

After meeting with the people of Mulah, the President laid the foundation stone for a new Multipurpose Hall for the island school.