Home Minister Umar Naseer has said that the protests that PPM held during Nasheed's presidency was legal as there was no law reducing the right to assemble and protest at that time.
In a tweet that the minister sent out today, he has said that there was no law which reduced the people's right to assemble and protest during Nasheed's presidency. Furthermore, Umar said that the right to assemble and protest was reduced by a law that was introduced in January 2013. The minister also said that the reform was brought about with opposition party MDP's participation as well.
- There are six situations which reduce the right to assemble and protest:
- Threat to national security
- Protecting collective peace
- Maintaining peace within the community through constitutional means
- Protecting public health safety
- Maintaining and protecting public order
- Protecting the rights and independence of individuals
Commissioner set by the European Union for Sri Lanka and Maldives, David Daly questioned minister Umar on the people's right to assemble and protest. Minister Umar replied by saying that the people had the right to assemble in all islands except for Male', as assembling on the roads caused jams and made it difficult for other residents living in Male'. Minister Umar also said that the people could assemble in different locations in Male' as long as it was not on the roads or streets.
Minister Umar said that assembling and protesting on the roads and streets caused a lot of inconvenience to vehicles, and for people to get around in Male'.
