Rozaina: MDP not being allowed to hold the rally is illegal

Deputy Leader of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group, Rozaina Adam has said that it was illegal for MDP to be prevented from holding the rally scheduled for Monday night to celebrate its anniversary, and that they would go ahead with the rally as planned.

MDP held a press conference on Sunday, during which party members said that Maldives Police Service’s decision to ban any political activity from the streets was illegal.

Rozaina said that there was no law backing police’s order to ban political activities from the streets.

“Police can’t decide even before a rally starts that it is an illegal gathering, or that a certain party will be disturbed because of the rally,” said Rozaina.

Police announced last Friday that holding political activities on the streets would not be allowed as it would disrupt transportation and disturb pedestrians.

They said that MDP would not be allowed to hold the rally either.

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MDP press conference on July 10, 2016. Photo: Twitter

Rozaina said that police had met officials from the party even on Sunday, and had repeatedly ordered them not to hold the rally.

She said that the party officials had questioned police regarding why they had not made any attempt to stop the Dhiraagu Road Race, which would also be held on the streets of Male’.

“We aren’t going out to demonstrate. It’s a rally to celebrate MDP’s anniversary,” said Rozaina.

Police said that they banned political activities from the streets as Male’ was a congested place, and that having to close down streets for long periods of time would inconvenience pedestrians and people who need to get from one place to another urgently.

They said that it would stamp upon the rights of many citizens.

“We are seeing senior members of police trying to enforce an illegal order through the institution. And them trying to force us to comply with the illegal order” said Rozaina.

MDP members said that they did not have anything illegal planned, but that they would take advantage of all the rights they were empowered with through law.

The rally is scheduled to start at 9 pm from MDP station near Artificial Beach. They will be making four stops along the way.