Maldives Parliament Withdraws Bill to Protect All Religions Amid Controversy

The Maldives Parliament has withdrawn a bill that would have criminalized incitement against any religion or nationality, after it was scheduled for first reading twice and then cancelled. The bill, introduced by MP Abdullah Rifau of the Maafannu Dhekunu constituency and drafted by Deputy Attorney General Ahmed Usham, aimed to amend the Penal Code to protect all religions. It proposed making genocide a first-degree crime punishable by 10 to 25 years in prison, and incitement to genocide a second-degree crime with up to 10 years imprisonment. The withdrawal comes amid controversy over the government's sale of the reclaimed Rasmalé island to Eagle Hills, a UAE company linked to Mohamed Alabbar, which critics say could be used to silence opposition to Zionism and Israel. The government had scheduled the bill for debate but removed it from the agenda just before the session.