Government is restricting youth rights: Shahid

22 Oct 2024 | 21:43
MDP President Abdulla Shahid

As the Maldives celebrates Youth Day, MDP President and former Foreign Minister of the MDP Government Abdulla Shahid has voiced concerns over the government's actions to limit the rights of 18-year-olds.

In a statement posted on ‘X’, Shahid urged all young people to speak out against what he described as the government's deprivation of youth rights.

Shahid pointed out that a law passed in 2008 by the Parliament, under the MDP’s initiative, granted citizens aged 18 and older the right to vote and contest elections.

This law, according to Shahid, represented the MDP government’s commitment to safeguarding youth rights, acknowledged by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who designated Youth Day to commemorate these achievements.

He further called on the youth to reaffirm their commitment to defending the rights that were hard-earned through dedication and sacrifice.

Shahid emphasized that the introduction of modern democracy in the Maldives and the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18 years were driven by the MDP’s efforts, urging young people to protect these gains.

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