:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

MDP hold press conference in Colombo

MDP members met for a Press Conference at the Colombo Hilton on the 3rd of July 2004. The following Press Statement was given at the conference.

PRESS STATEMENT

In February 2001 a group of prominent Maldivians attempted to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of association. The government refused registration of the Maldivian Democratic Party on the premise that advice from lawyers suggested that the laws of the country did not allow for the formation of political parties.

On 9th June 2004, at a public forum to share his views on constitutional reform, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom clearly indicated his commitment for political pluralism. We believe that a close scrutiny of the constitution and the laws of Maldives would clearly indicate that President Gayoom could exercise his aspirations for competitive politics. We, the MDP, fully support the President in his stated effort at establishing political pluralism in the Maldives. We are hopeful that the conservatives in the regime too would extend equal support to the President in his effort to introduce participatory politics.

ENDS