Parliament Security Services Committee Revives Long-Stalled Bill on Freedom of Assembly

The Security Services Committee of Parliament revived a 2019 bill to repeal a 2016 amendment to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act. The amendment, under President Abdulla Yameen, restricted gatherings to pre-designated locations or with police permission, with only the carnival area allocated for unauthorized assemblies. Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir initiated the repeal bill on 8 August 2019. The committee passed it in October 2020 but Parliament rejected it. In October 2021?, the committee reconvened, and MP Ahmed Saleem proposed finalizing the bill within the month, which was approved. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) stated the amendment violates Article 32 of the constitution and the ICCPR. President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu intends to work towards abolishing the provision.

The Security Services Committee of Parliament revived a 2019 bill to repeal a 2016 amendment to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act. The amendment, under President Abdulla Yameen, restricted gatherings to pre-designated locations or with police permission, with only the carnival area allocated for unauthorized assemblies. Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir initiated the repeal bill on 8 August 2019. The committee passed it in October 2020 but Parliament rejected it. In October 2021?, the committee reconvened, and MP Ahmed Saleem proposed finalizing the bill within the month, which was approved. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) stated the amendment violates Article 32 of the constitution and the ICCPR. President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu intends to work towards abolishing the provision.

The Security Services Committee of Parliament revived a 2019 bill to repeal a 2016 amendment to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act. The amendment, under President Abdulla Yameen, restricted gatherings to pre-designated locations or with police permission, with only the carnival area allocated for unauthorized assemblies. Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir initiated the repeal bill on 8 August 2019. The committee passed it in October 2020 but Parliament rejected it. In October 2021?, the committee reconvened, and MP Ahmed Saleem proposed finalizing the bill within the month, which was approved. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) stated the amendment violates Article 32 of the constitution and the ICCPR. President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu intends to work towards abolishing the provision.

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