The Maldives Police Service has said that the protest planned in Malé tonight against the Rasmalé development is being held without any notice to the authorities and without anyone taking responsibility for it.
The gathering has been announced as a protest against the Maldives Waterfront and Marina project in Rasmalé, run by Eagle Hills.
In a statement today, police said the organisers have not shared any information with them about the safety of participants, or about the disruption the protest may cause to traffic and pedestrians.
Under Article 27 of the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act, which came into force in 2013, organisers must give notice before holding a gathering. The law says the notice is meant to ensure the gathering can be held safely and that the rights of others are protected.
Police urged the organisers not to gather anywhere other than the areas designated for gatherings without prior notice, and to keep the protest within the law.
Under the law, gatherings without prior notice in Malé can only be held in areas designated by the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology. Until President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took office, the Carnival area was the only such area. The current government has added three more: Raalhugandu, the Industrial Village and Usfasgandu.
The Artificial Beach, where tonight’s protest is planned, is not one of these areas.
Police said holding a gathering without notice also makes it harder for them to carry out their legal duty of keeping gatherings safe.
They asked the organisers to make sure the protest does not inconvenience anyone.
Police also said they will immediately stop any acts that break the law or regulations during the gathering, and take action.
