Parliament on Monday accepted for consideration an amendment bill to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act, and passed the State Policy on Terrorism and Violent Extremism.
The bill on amendment to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act was tabled for debate by South-Maafannu MP Abdulla Rifau. Parliament accepted the bill for consideration with 39 votes in favour and 22 against.
It was sent to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security for further review. 19 lawmakers spoke during debate time on the bill. The First Reading of the bill was held on August 9.
Parliament also passed the State Policy on Terrorism and Violent Extremism submitted by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The policy was approved unanimously with votes from all 57 members present at the sitting as reviewed by the 11-member Select Committee. 5 lawmakers spoke on the paper during debate time. The paper was sent to the committee for review on June 21.
The policy includes views on further steps to be taken to address the issue of terrorism and violent extremism. According to the President’s Office, the paper was submitted because of the gravity of the issue, and its possible impact on national security and the safety of the Maldivian people.
It said the President recognises that terrorism and violent extremism is a global issue without boundaries, impacting on the powerful and weak alike, and he has also stressed the importance of urgent, additional and stronger measures to be taken nationally, both within the current legal framework, and some after amendment of the legal framework.
The President’s Office further said issues arising from terrorism and violent extremism, both internationally and domestically, are issues which the Government places a high importance in addressing.
On Monday, Parliament also sent to its Committee on National Security for review the President’s nomination of Mohamed Hussain Shareef to the post of Ambassador of Maldives to Japan. He earlier served as the Minister at the President’s Office, Minister of Youth and Sports and spokesperson of the Government. The post of Maldivian Ambassador to Japan was earlier filled by Ahmed Khaleel.