Attorney General Ahmed Usham has announced that the government will amend the Freedom of Assembly Act, a law that has faced strong criticism since a 2016 amendment imposed significant restrictions on protests and political gatherings in the Maldives.

Speaking at the Parliament on Wednesday, Usham confirmed that revising the Act is included in the administration’s legislative agenda. However, he did not specify what changes are being proposed or whether the government intends to repeal the controversial 2016 amendment.

The statement came in response to questions from South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who raised the issue during a parliamentary sitting. Meekail referred to an earlier post made by Usham on social media platform X, in which he had publicly called for the repeal of the amendment, citing its inconsistency with the Constitution.

The Freedom of Assembly Act, first amended in 2016 during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, prohibits holding political rallies in Malé without prior written permission from the police. It also limits protests and gatherings to locations designated by the Home Ministry — initially restricting them to Alimas Carnival.

Although the current administration has since expanded the list to include the Rasfannu and Usfasgandu areas, the main restrictions introduced by the 2016 amendment remain in place.

The amendment has long been a point of contention among rights advocates and opposition lawmakers, who argue that it undermines the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and was originally enacted to stifle dissent during a period of intense political unrest.