Attorney General Unveils 12 Key Bills to Modernize Maldives' Legal Framework

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has announced a comprehensive legislative agenda featuring 12 bills slated for introduction during the current and upcoming sessions of the Maldivian Parliament. The roadmap, unveiled at a press conference at the President's Office, outlines a strategic push toward digitization, data privacy, and the overhaul of outdated statutes. A centerpiece of the agenda is the Data Protection Bill, scheduled for introduction in the current session. This landmark legislation seeks to establish a transparent framework for the collection and processing of personal information, granting citizens clearer rights over their data while imposing strict obligations on both public and private sector data processors. Aligning with the "Maldives 2.0" initiative, the government is prioritizing three digital transformation bills. These include a Cybersecurity Bill to protect critical national infrastructure and identify cross-border threats, alongside Digital Transformation and Digital Identity bills designed to modernize government services and technological infrastructure. Beyond technology, the government plans to replace aging laws that no longer serve the nation's needs. The Immigration Act and the Act regarding uninhabited islands will be entirely rewritten, while the Education Act will undergo substantial amendments. Additionally, the Political Parties Act will be revised to address the procedure for stripping Parliament members of their seats following party defection or expulsion. The legislative package also addresses critical social and judicial reforms. These include a new Mental Health Bill to tackle rising public health concerns and a special law regarding the enforcement of the death penalty. Further proposals aim to restructure the Judicial Service Commission and introduce a cap on the total number of members in the Majlis. By combining digital modernization with fundamental legal reforms, the government aims to streamline governance and enhance the protection of individual rights across the archipelago.