New bill seeks to eliminate requirement of court orders to withhold passports

The government has proposed an amendment bill to the Immigration Act, seeking to eliminate the requirement for investigative authorities to obtain court orders in order to withhold passports.

The present Immigration Act states that passports can only be withheld following an order or verdict by a court, to prevent suspects from leaving the country.

This bill, which gives the police and independent institutions authorised to carry out investigations the power to withhold passports for 24 hours without obtaining a court order, was submitted to parliament by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) parliamentary group member Ibrahim Riza.

A court order or verdict would, however, be required to withhold passports for more than 24 hours.

The bill also states that the power to withhold passports following an order by a court or an investigative authority vests with the Controller of Immigration and Emigration.