Bill criminalising acts against religions removed from parliament agenda after being scheduled

The bill seeking to criminalise acts against a specific religion has been removed from the agenda of today's parliament sitting, after initially being listed. The bill, submitted to the People's Majlis, proposes amendments to the Penal Code to make it an offence to act against a religion or cause significant harm to the economy. The government's bill, introduced by Maafannu Dhekunu constituency PNC member Abdulla Rifau (Bochey), aims to align national law with the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, by criminalising genocide. The agenda published last night included the bill's proceedings, but it was later removed. A media official said the reason for the change would need to be confirmed. The bill proposes adding a section on genocide after Chapter 140 of the Penal Code, making it an offence to commit acts such as serious physical or mental harm against a group identified by nationality, ethnicity, descent, or religion. It also seeks to make it an offence to deliberately cause major damage to the state's economy, including damage to critical infrastructure or related computer systems. The bill was introduced at a time when UAE's Eagle Hills has undertaken a major project in Ras Malé, with some public and political figures expressing concerns that the project could allow Israelis to reside in the Maldives. The government has previously stated that under the Ras Malé project, Israeli citizens and companies linked to that country would not be able to purchase property. Some on social media have accused the bill of being aimed at silencing criticism related to the Ras Malé project. However, Deputy Prosecutor General Ahmed Usham said last night that the bill is part of reforms required by an international convention to which the Maldives is a party.