President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said no state agency can infringe on any constitutional right and civil rights of the people.
In his address at the opening session of the People's Majlis, Muizzu said all Maldivians have the right to do whatever is not prohibited by the constitution and laws.
"I believe that every citizen has the freedom and right to do whatever is not prohibited by the constitution and the laws. No government or any state institution can infringe on that civil and constitutional right," he said.
Muizzu said the responsibility of law enforcement agencies is to act within the legal framework instead of infringing on the rights of the people.
“The role of the government and state institutions is to maintain the rule of law by fulfilling their responsibilities within the limits set by the constitution and the laws,” he said.
Muizzu made similar remarks in his recent visit to Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo island. But police obstructed peaceful protest by removing anti-government banners ahead of the President's visit.
MPs from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), carrying placards with various slogans, protested today as Muizzu began delivering his second presidential address since assuming office in November 2023.
Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla called out the names of several MDP MPs and asked them to leave the chamber.
But MPs continued to protest and Abdul Raheem indicated to Muizzu to stop his address. He also announced that the session was adjourned and would resume when the MPs leave the chamber.
Security guards entered the chamber and forced some MPs to leave. Among them were MDP parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Nazil and Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad.
The session resumed after the MPs were dragged out of the chamber.
