Home Minister Imran Abdulla has said that he would be bringing changes to the freesom of assembly act but would not be completely abandon the amendment to the freedom of assembly act by the former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration that says public assembly can take place at select places without prior permit from the state.

Minister Imran made the remark at the parliament’s national security committee where he was answering questions virtually.

MP for Kaashidhoo constituency, Abdulla Jabir has presented to retract the amendment made during the Yameen presidency calling it an amendment that limits the freedoms of the public. After the proposal went to the committee phase, MP Jabir did try to retract it. However, since regulations states that a proposed move cannot be withdrawn after it goes to committee. And so the committee has begun reviewing the amendment.

Home Minister Imran said that the amendment by the previous government obstructs a freedom granted by the constitution. And he wants to bring a change that everyone could agree on.

At the meeting, Chief Inspector Abdulla Shareef representing the Maldives Police Service said that instead of retracting the entire amendment, changes could be made by adding more places for public gathering since there would be challenges if the previous amendment is abandoned altogether.

He said that if the amendment is fully withdrawn, it affects the rights of children, pedestrians, businesses, motorists and ambulances.