Additional areas designated for protests without requiring police permission

The number of locations where protests can be held without prior police permission has been increased, Home Ministry announced Friday, May 2.

Previously, under the 2016 amendment to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act, demonstrations were only permitted without police approval in the Carnival area of Male'.

The latest change now designates three additional areas where protests can take place freely' Rasfannu, Malé Industrial Zone, and Usfasgandu.

Home Ministry stated that this move aims to facilitate peaceful demonstrations and uphold the public's right to assemble, in line with the Freedom of Assembly Act.

Although there are areas designated where protests can be held with police permission, in recent years, demonstrations have regularly occurred in various parts of Male' without police authorization.