Reference: 08/07/2014
15 July 2014
Condemnation of Maldives Government Minister’s unconstitutional order to prosecute participants of the peaceful walk-about held to protest the killing of Palestinian civilians in Israeli attacks on Gaza.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) stridently condemns the Maldives Government Home Minister’s unconstitutional order to prosecute participants of the peaceful rally and walk-about held by the MDP on 13 July 2014 to protest the killing of Palestinian civilians in Israeli attacks on Gaza.
The Maldivian Democratic Party notes that the walk about was held in accordance to a prior resolution passed by the party’s National Council to protest ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza. While the Maldives government was silent at the time on Israeli attacks that are killing scores of Palestinian civilians, it is notable that the Maldivian Democratic Party is the first political party to take up the initiative on the matter. It is also noted that the walk-about had been conducted peacefully without any confrontations or incidents.
Home Minister Umar Naseer’s unconstitutional order is widely seen as a reaction to appease the government’s inability to digest the MDP taking the initiative and highlighting deliberate government dithering over Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Whereas Home Minister Umar Naseer attempts to undermine the right of peaceful assembly and expression, he is noted as an individual who had himself wielded truncheons with supporters at a number of protests and called upon a mob to use 50 ladders to impel themselves into the general headquarters of the security services. A judicial case is ongoing on these matters and a Court order had been issued for Police to seize and present him at Court under their custody citing his deliberate refusal to honor the subpoena.
The Maldivian Democratic Party had always condemned and raised its voice against foreign domination and subjugation of states as well as against murder and slaughter of citizens. The MDP shall also be resolute and without any degree of retreat in always defending freedoms such as the right of peaceful assembly and expression. //
ENDS
