Bill to Make Religious Hatred and Damage to Maldives Economy Major Crimes Submitted

The Maldivian government has submitted amendments to the Penal Code (Qanoonul Uqoobath) that would make incitement against a specific religion or country, and acts that damage the Maldives' economic security, major crimes. The bill was presented by Maafannu Dhekunu constituency MP Abdulla Rifau, a member of the ruling PNC, on behalf of the government. Under the proposed legislation, a new chapter on acts damaging economic security would criminalise knowingly causing major harm to the economy, damaging critical infrastructure or connected computer systems, disrupting essential services or their systems, and stopping operations in a major sector that generates state income. The bill also addresses treason against the state, including waging war against the Maldives and providing assistance to such a party, whether inside or outside the Maldives. It also provides for harsher punishment for acts against Islam and introduces a chapter on genocide (Qatl-e-Aam), in line with the Genocide Convention to which the Maldives is a party. The bill criminalises acts against a group based on nationality, race, lineage or religion, including killing members, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction, imposing measures to prevent births, forcibly transferring children, and public incitement to commit such acts. If any of these offences is proven, the bill states that the convicted person cannot be appointed to any state job or position, in addition to the punishment prescribed for the offence.