Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has filed a case to High Court in relation to the section of the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act recently passed by the parliament, which obstructs journalists’ right guaranteed by the constitution to protect the source of information, and could subsequently result in criminal charges against journalists.
MJA said that it will be represented in court by Suood & Anwar LLP; by lawyers Husnu Suood, Ismail Visham and Ali Hussain.
MJA said that section 17 of the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act empowers the parliament and its committees to summon anyone, with no exemption for journalists, to give witness or to hand over any document requested by the parliament; and that this section contradicts the freedom of press guaranteed in article 28 of the constitution.
Furthermore, any person who fails to provide the information requested by the parliament can be penalised for refusing to obey the orders of the parliament, which is categorised as a criminal offence. MJA said that this contradicts the right to obtain legal assistance as stipulated in article 53 of the constitution, and the right of every person charged with an offence to not be compelled to testify as stipulated in article 53 (c) of the constitution.
MJA said earlier that journalists would be denied the safeguards guaranteed to them in the constitution if they are to be asked to give witness or to hand over any document requested by the parliament.
A case related to the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act has also been filed to Supreme Court by the Attorney General’s Office.