:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Gayyoom illegally bans public gatherings in Male'

Mariyam Mohamed, Male’, 8 August 2004

The Defence Ministry last night announced that gatherings near the Eastern corner of Male’ near the Tetrapod monument was illegal and called for people to stay away from the area. According to legal experts, this was not lawful for the government to ban people from gathering in an open public area. The right to assembly is guaranteed by the constitution. Those who gather near the area are reformists and supporters of pluralistic democracy. Even members of the special majlis (parliament) go to these gatherings to discuss issues with the public. These are people who want an to bring an end to the tyranny and dictatorship of Gayyoom. They have requested to book halls to hold meetings but were denied, again unlawfully so they had no choice but to meet somewhere like the square, which they have now named as ‘Separation of 3 Powers Square’ in reference to the Tetrapod monument, which stands on three legs.

The public was furious and outraged by the announcement. To show this, they went to the square in numbers but the whole area was cordoned off by the Police, who were hard with the first people who were arriving at the square but had to soften up when they realised that people had not obeyed their announcement. As many as 4000 people were there making it one of the largest crowd gatherings in the square so far.

The announcement from the Defence said people were carrying out unlawful activities and talks in the gathering. These talks are only about the need for change of the system of government in the Maldives, to bring an end to the dictatorship of Gayyoom by pluralistic democracy. People were expressing their desires for a better quality of life that is not an illegal act. Freedom of expression, association and assembly are guaranteed by the Constitution of Maldives. Gayyoom and his government seem to think that we Maldivians can’t behave ourselves. That, when we gather at meetings, we are inciting violence and breaking the law. The only people who break the law are him and his government, the National Security Service, who in total disregard to the rule of law enter into people’s houses and other properties and confiscate things as well as arrest people without any documentation; it is his will that seems to rule the country.

Maldivians are defiant and resolute people. They are not going to obey orders when they are against the law; there is no notion in the constitution that read that Gayyoom’s will and orders can become law by default.

Reports are coming in that people will be gathering in the square tonight as well. Surely, Gayyoom cannot remain in power for long if people are so determined and defiant. After the editorial of DO with the concept of a boycott by government staff, many are requesting that to be organised. Other kinds of protests are also being organised by reformists, who are absolutely determined in bringing democracy and rule of law to our tiny islands.