Some ruling PPM lawmakers pictured during a press conference. MIHAARU FILE PHOTO/MOHAMED SHARUHAAN
Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has asked lawmakers to remain in the capital Male this week for an “important” parliament vote.
PPM parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik asked fellow parliamentarians to stay in Male on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for the vote.
Though Nihan failed to mention the particulars of the vote, sources from within the ruling party PG group say the government is looking to pass the contentious defamation bill this week.
The Bill has triggered a free speech campaign by local journalists as well as attracted unprecedented international criticism, for its stifling effect on freedom of expression and media freedom in the tiny island nation.
Several pro-government lawmakers had broken the three line whip during the parliament vote to accept the bill suggesting a deep division within the ruling coalition over the move to criminalise defamation.
Two MPs including party leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s son Faaris Maumoon voted against the bill while several MPs were absent from the sitting or had walked out just before the vote.
The parliamentary committee currently reviewing the bill had said it was looking to complete the review and send it back to the parliament floor before August 25.
The committee with overwhelming government majority had decided to consult main media outlets the public, several state and independent institutions.
Most media groups who were summoned to the committee, were forcefully critical of the Bill, reiterating that it would mean an end to press freedom in the country.
However, during the sit-down on Friday the committee voted against seeking public opinion over the bill.
The committee also voted that the concerns it has heard were enough and decided not to summon any more state institutions.
The committee had originally decided to summon the main registered media outlets, broadcasting commission, Islamic University, Fiqh Academy, National University, Film Association, Human Rights Commission, Lawyers Association, Police, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), Attorney General and the Prosecutor General (PG).
That means the committee would no longer hear the views of key state institutions including the Attorney General, Prosecutor General (PG) and the security forces.
The committee said it had made the decision as the Fiqh Academy- the State’s now defunct religious council had declared the Bill to be “Islamic, and in keeping with Islamic values.”
The Fiqh Academy justified the hefty fines and making defamation a criminal offense, by referencing Saudi Arabian and Sudanese laws.