The government-sponsored bill seeking to criminalize genocide and treason in the Penal Code has been removed from today's parliament agenda.
The agenda for today's sitting publicized last night by the parliament included the first reading of this bill, submitted by South Maafannu MP Abdulla Rifau. The bill itself was also made available on the parliament's official website.
However, the agenda has since been changed, removing the first reading of the bill. However, the bill is still available for viewing on the parliament's website.
When news of the bill of amendments to the Penal Code was reported in media last night, it led to heavy public backlash. Some of the points of the bill that has been widely discussed is the criminalization of genocide and calling for genocide, with many questioning the government's reasons for doing so at this particular point in time. Many are speculating that the move is indirectly related to the government's plans to carry out a project in Rasmale' with UAE's Eagle Hills.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham addressed these concerns, stating that the government has proposed this amendment to the Penal Code because it is mandated by the Genocide Convention signed 42 years ago.
Usham stated that while the Maldives advocates for holding countries that commit genocide accountable and taking strict measures, calling on other nations to respect the Genocide Convention, failing to do what the Maldives itself is obligated to do under the treaty affects the legal points submitted by the Maldives.
The bill states that carrying out specific acts against a group belonging to a particular nation, race, ethnicity, or religion is an offense.
In addition to committing those acts, directly and publicly inciting to commit them is also an offense.
If this crime is committed by a person holding the position of the President of the Republic, a Minister, a Member of the People's Majlis, a Judge, or a commanding authority in a security service, it is a first-degree felony. In other circumstances, it is a second-degree felony.
