Maldives Parliament Removes Genocide Criminalization Bill from Agenda for Second Time

A bill to amend the Penal Code to criminalize genocide and actions targeting a specific religion or race, submitted by the government, has been removed from the Parliament agenda for the second time. The amendment bill, proposed by Maafannu Dhekunu MP Abdulla Rifau of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), was initially scheduled for Tuesday but was pulled from the agenda. It was then rescheduled for Wednesday's session, only to be removed again. The bill seeks to add a new article after Section 140 of the Penal Code, making genocide a criminal offense, including causing serious physical or mental harm to a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. It also aims to criminalize four types of acts that knowingly cause substantial damage to the national economy. The move comes amid public outcry over allegations that a large area of reclaimed land in the Maldives was permanently granted to the company Eagle Hills. Other items on Wednesday's agenda include a motion by Galolhu Uthuru MP Mohamed Ibrahim regarding the removal of three Supreme Court judges, a motion by Galolhu Dhekunu MP Meezaan Ahmed Naseem on separating 14 plots of land from Male' City Council jurisdiction, the first reading of an education bill submitted by Huraa MP Dr. Anara Naeem, and debates on reports from the Finance Committee concerning salaries and allowances of the Speaker, ministers, councilors and the Chief Justice.