Amendment proposing genocide removed from both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s agendas

The Penal Code amendment bill proposing new offences related to genocide and economic sabotage has been removed from the agenda for Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting as well, after being dropped from Tuesday’s agenda at the last minute.

The bill, submitted by South Maafannu PNC MP Abdulla Rifau, had originally been listed for consideration on Tuesday, according to the agenda published on Parliament’s website on Monday night. It was later removed, and the revised agenda for Wednesday no longer includes the bill either. Parliament has not yet provided an official explanation for the repeated changes.

The amendment proposes inserting a new provision titled Genocide after Chapter 140 of the Penal Code. It would criminalise five acts committed with genocidal intent against national, ethnic, racial or religious groups, including killing members of the group and causing serious physical or mental harm.

The bill also introduces four offences related to knowingly or recklessly causing severe damage to the state economy, including damaging critical infrastructure or computer systems linked to such infrastructure.

The amendment has drawn public attention due to ongoing controversy surrounding the Rasmale’ project. Some citizens and political figures allege the bill is intended to curb criticism of the project, while the government has repeatedly stated that Israeli nationals and entities will not be allowed to purchase property in Rasmale’. Attorney General Ahmed Usham has said the amendment introduces mandatory changes required under the Genocide Convention, which Maldives has long failed to implement.