Action on those disrupting parliament committees sought

Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim has proposed amending Parliament’s Rules of Procedure to allow action against individuals who obstruct committee meetings.

The proposal, made during an extraordinary sitting yesterday, follows disruptions during the Independent Institutions Committee’s review of the controversial Media Bill. Parliament, currently in recess, held its seventh extraordinary sitting of the current session to pass the bill.

Nazim said the Sergeant-at-Arms had submitted a report stating that some attendees acted in a manner “derogatory to the dignity of Parliament” and in violation of ethical norms. He noted that several journalists admitted to the committee session twice raised their voices in protest against the bill.

“I intend to refer it to the General Committee of the Parliament. It is an instruction to amend the Rules of Procedure to prevent such incidents from happening again. If those invited to the Parliament fail to adhere to these rules, I recommend action against them,” Nazim said.

Outside the Parliament, journalists staged protests against the bill, calling for its withdrawal. Police responded by pushing back protesters and setting up barricades.

The legislation has drawn widespread criticism. Twenty-two organisations, including Reporters Without Borders, have called for its withdrawal, while more than 150 journalists have signed a petition against it.

The uproar began last week after the committee reviewing the bill suddenly declared its meetings secret, despite earlier admitting journalists. The protests intensified after the committee passed the bill without addressing the petition.