Parliament dismisses motion to remove Dr Shaheed from post

The Parliament headship has dismissed a motion submitted by Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed to remove Dr Ahmed Shaheed from his post of United National Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran.

Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim said at today’s sitting, that it was indicated in the motion that Dr Shaheed was appointed to the post by the UN. Nazim said that the Parliament can thus, not proceed with the case.

Following this, points of orders were raised by several MPs.

Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed said that the motion was dismissed against regulations.

The motion was earlier announced at the Parliament, before it was dismissed today.

Dhiddhoo MP Sameer said that motions cannot be dismissed after they are accepted by the Parliament.

He stressed that issues should be verified before they are accepted by the Parliament, and demanded an apology from the leadership.

Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim agreed that the matter should have been verified before it was put on the Parliament agenda, and apologised to those involved.

The motion against Dr Shaheed was filed following reports of involvement in alleged corrupt activities while he was acting as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr Shaheed has denied the allegations.