Lawyer and Kendhoo Council Member of Parliament says the instructions issued by Ihavadhoo Council curtailing the movement of expatriate workers in the island is not legally binding and cannot be followed.

A notice issued by the Council on Sunday, said that six things had been banned for expatriates. The list says:

- No expatriates can be on the streets after 10 pm apart from those having fixed duties

- Expatriates cannot form groups in any part of the island, except on Fridays from 2pm to 5.30pm

- No fishing in areas under Council administration

- Expatriates cannot collect coconuts, wood, etc from the wood

- Expatriates are banned from entering landfill, unless to throw garbage

- Expatriates are banned from public events, unless invited

The list, published on the Council’s facebook page exempts expatriates employed by the state as doctors, nurses and teachers. The notice also orders all expatriates and sponsors of those expatriates to register with the Council within a five-day period.

Speaking to Raajje.mv, Ali Hussain said this move was designed to curtail the rights of a certain group of expatriates and is not within the legal reach of the Council. As such, he said the Council did not have the right or authority to implement this either.

The lawyer further noted that expatriates in the Maldives were a suppressed minority and that measures of this nature only serves to increase the issues relating to expatriates.

Measures of this nature only taps into the existing preconceived notions and urges certain sections of the population to act on them, as evident in the increase of hate crimes against Muslims in America following the measures introduced by the US Government.

Ali Hussain said the Council did have the authority to reign in expatriates living in the island illegally but it was not their mandate to restrict their movement and their rights.

He noted the issue of illegal expatriates was a serious issue, adding that the Government needed to do more to address the issues.

Ihavandhoo Council said expatriates have been involved in a similar case back in 2002. This, the Council said had defamed the island. It also said that Ihavandhoo was an example in hospitality. Having a guest of the island die by the hands of an expatriate, was deeply concerning to the islanders, the Council said.