Parliament today re-passed the Organ Transplant Bill after amending it to prohibit organ donations by prisoners and people in state custody.

The bill was originally approved in May but was returned to Parliament after President Dr Mohamed Muizzu declined to ratify it and requested the Parliament reconsider several provisions.

The principal concern raised by the President was a provision allowing prisoners to donate organs.

In response, Parliament's Social Affairs Committee amended the legislation to prohibit organ donations by individuals in state custody, those accused of criminal offences and prisoners serving court-imposed sentences.

The committee also revised the bill's penalty provisions.

The original version stated that offences under the law could be subject to qisas in accordance with Islamic Sharia, with fines ranging from MVR 250,000 to MVR 500,000 and prison terms of between 18 and 24 months where qisas was waived.

The committee removed the reference to qisas, leaving fines and imprisonment as the applicable penalties under the legislation.

Parliament approved the amended bill without further changes, with 58 MPs voting in favour.