Government-majority committee set up to evaluate defamation bill

A special 11-member committee has been set up to evaluate the controversial defamation and freedom of expression bill, which was accepted into the People’s Majlis this Monday.

The bill was accepted into the Majlis with the vote of 38 MPs; 28 MPs voted to reject the bill, while one MP remained neutral.

A 11-member committee to evaluate the bill was proposed by leader of ruling, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Parliamentary Group, Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik.

The committee will include six PPM lawmakers, two lawmakers from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and one lawmaker from Maldives Development Alliance.

PPM lawmakers in the committee:

• MP Abdulla Haleel

• MP Ali Arif

• MP Jameel Usman

• MP Jaufar Dhaood

• MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef

• MP Shinaan Ali

JP lawmakers in the committee:

• MP Ilhaam Ahmed

• MP Moosa Nizar

MDP lawmakers in the committee:

• MP Mariya Ahmed Didi