Jumhooree Party (JP)’s Member of Parliament for Kimbidhoo constituency and former Commissioner of Police (CP) Abdulla Riyaz says that the terrorism law in the country should not be misused in a way that it will end the political careers of a certain individual or groups.
MP Riyaz, who is also the Deputy-Leader of JP’s Parliamentary Group, made the statement as a severe criticism to the terrorism definition bill, which was discussed on during today’s Parliamentary session. The government-sponsored bill was proposed by Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah.
According to MP Riyaz, this certain bill is just another widened opportunity to utilize the investigative and judicial institutions to “eliminate” political opponents by legally branding them as terrorists.
Adding that this opportunity can be used to tip the scales in the political arena - mainly during the Presidential elections, to prevent any rivals from contesting, MP Riyaz accused that these activities are being witnessed today as well.
“That’s why I’m emphasizing that this law should not be made in a way that it can easily cut down political opponents,” he repeated.
Continuing on his take on the bill, MP Riyaz said that the Terrorism Definition Bill should clarify on what terrorism means; yet that was not mentioned in the bill. He also pointed out that the bill is not structured to fit into international standards, thus making it prone to losing approval in the face of the international community.
Furthermore, he noted that the bill made no mentioning of who or what party would be investigating terrorism activities, and that such absence of valuable detail is a concerning matter. He suggested that the investigation of terrorism cases must have participation from the police or the military; otherwise the bill will never achieve its target result.
Taking into consideration of the large number of expatriates living in the country, MP Riyaz said that the bill does not even distinguish any separate forms of action against foreigners in the country who have committed - or are planning to commit - acts of terrorism, while also taking into account on initiatives of non-Maldivians undergoing trials in the country.
The bill was not the only target of criticism, as MP Riyaz also expressed disappointment over the functioning of the Parliament - for succumbing to the whims and fancies of a certain individual or parties, instead of expressing honest and free opinions or thoughts, as hoped by the citizens who elected the MPs.
“I thought that this Parliament consists of such honest people,” he said. “This is not that Parliament.”
Regardless of the flaws and loopholes pointed out by the opposition members on the bill, pro-government members insisted that this bill is an important one.