The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) on Thursday urged the government to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is protected without any interference, as the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) continues its nightly protests in the capital, Malé.
The commission urged law enforcement to respect this fundamental right, guaranteed under Article 32 of the Constitution.
“We urge law enforcement agencies to uphold the right to peaceful assembly within the legal framework,” the HRCM said in a statement.
The MDP began its protests last Friday and has since held nightly demonstrations. Police have been deployed each evening to disperse the gatherings.
Several protesters were injured in clashes with police, and one person was detained at a demonstration earlier in the week. Additionally, two senior MDP members were summoned for questioning.
The HRCM called on the police to ensure any use of force remains within the bounds of the law.
“We call on the Maldives Police Service to exercise restraint and adhere to the law, even in situations where force may be deemed necessary,” the statement read.
The commission also urged demonstrators to protest peacefully, respect the rights of others, and avoid causing disruptions to road users.