Committee passes to delay implementation of new Penal Code

The National Security Committee of the parliament has passed to delay the implementation of the new Penal Code by three months.

The Penal Code was ratified by President Yameen on 13 April 2014, and it states that it would come into effect one year after the date of ratification – on Monday.

All MPs present at today committee meeting voted in favour of delaying the implementation of the code.

Committee member Gemanafushi MP Jameel Usman said that the decision would have to be passed by the parliament, and that three months would give enough time to finalise the amendments proposed to the code.

Meanwhile, UNDP consultant in the Penal Code Review Committee, Hussain Shameem told Sun Online that only minor amendments – and nothing worth delaying implementation – have been proposed to the Penal Code

Shameem said that it will come into effect as scheduled on Monday.

The motion to delay the implementation of the Penal Code was submitted to the committee on behalf of the government by Jameel Usman.