Friday
22nd Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Progressive congress coalition
Presidential decree to outlaw the IndiaOut campaign unconstitutional: Opposition
Press held by the opposition coalition. Photo: TMJ
The Progressive Congress Coalition has slammed Thursday's Presidential decree banning and criminalizing the India Out movement.
A statement released jointly by opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC), condemned the decree.
"The executive order and the court warrant issued under the pretext of protecting national security, is in direct contravention to the Constitution of Maldives and infringes on the people's right to freedom of expression. We note that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who promised unprecedented freedom of expression is actively curtailing the statutory rights of the people through consistent abuse of his constitutional powers," the statement read.
The opposition also labelled the raids on the headquarters of the coalition and the private residence of opposition leader President Yameen as "illegal".
Noting that this decree marks a "dark day in the history of the Maldives", the Coalition said that the President had "actively elected to abandon his own people and protect the interests of a foreign military".
The brief statement concluded by assuring the public that any and all actions by the current administration to quell constitutionally granted rights will not go unchecked. It also said that the opposition will not be deterred in their efforts to protect the rights of the people and the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives.