CSO has called to allow peaceful protests

Civil Society Organizations (CSO) has called to make the necessary arrangements to allow peaceful protests.

A statement issued by the CSO calling for the freedom of peaceful protests to the Maldives Police Service, Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the National Integrity Commission said that the workers in the Maldives was refrained from expressing themselves when the whole world was celebrating the International Worker’s Day (also known as Labor Day).

CSO also condemned the obstruction to the rally yesterday.

The statement said that the freedom of peaceful protesting without prior notice is a Constitutional right of every citizen and restricting this is right is against the regulations and spirit of democracy.

The CSO statement said that a number of unfavorable actions were displayed by the Police at the rally yesterday. And said that the Police used excessive force to disperse the rally.

The CSO said that the institute of the Police needs to be made into place with the people’s trust.

Protestors at the rally called for the implementation of the Minimum Wage Law passed in 2008 and called to address the different challenges faced by the workers. The protestors also called to end the intimidation against the employees that disapprove of the government policies.

Maldives Police Service refused to allow the rally because it would bring the traffic in the city to a halt affecting a number of people.

There were no major confrontations between the protestors and the Police at the rally yesterday.

The HRCM issued a statement yesterday saying that the right to peaceful protest has been granted to every citizen by the Articles 27 and 32 of the Constitution and it is a responsibility of the state to allow the execution of this right.