President ratifies Telecommunication Bill, returns Tourism Boycott Bill

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has ratified the Maldives Telecommunication Bill, and returned the Tourism Boycott Bill to the parliament for reconsideration.

In a letter sent to Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Maseeh providing reasons for returning the Tourism Boycott Bill, the President said that the bill prohibits calling to boycott Maldives tourism, which can restrict certain fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of press.

Maldives Telecommunication Bill comprises of the policies to be used to design and implement all telecommunications related work in the Maldives. The bill also encompasses matters related to issuing telecommunications license to service providers.

Following ratification, the Maldives Telecommunication Act has been published in the Government Gazette.