Maldives opposition slams pres over hesitancy on anti-terror law

 

 

President Yameen ratified on October 28 the highly controversial new anti-terrorism law adopted by the country's government-controlled parliament a day before.

The law requires the president to publicise a list of groups it considers as terrorist organisations within 15 days. The president is mandated to consult with his national security council before compiling the list.

President Yameen has so far not published the list in the government gazette as per the law.

Government spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali told Haveeru on Tuesday that the security council had advised the president to amend that clause of the law. The amendment would soon be sent to the parliament, he added.

“The national security council believes that in a country like the Maldives, a lot of factors has to be taken into consideration before classifying an organisation as a terrorist group,” the spokesperson said.

He, however, did not give details of the amendment. The attorney general was also not available for comment.

In a statement, MDP accused the president of failing to execute his legally obligated duty.

The failure also shows that the government is not sincere in its efforts to stop terrorism, the statement said.

MDP also said the refusal by the government to make public a list of terrorist organisations further emboldens terror groups to promote and spread their messages in the archipelago.

The parliament is currently in recess. The government can only submit its planned amendment to anti-terror law for approval after the parliament breaks from recess in early February.

The highly controversial anti-terrorism legislation was passed despite concerns by opposition parties. The legislation, which was reviewed twice by the parliamentary national security committee, was adopted with an amendment under which the legislation would come into effect as soon as the president had ratified it.

MDP had labelled the new legislation as a threat to the people. According to MDP, the law gives the government the power to constrict the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and effective functioning of political parties.

The government, however, quickly moved to dismiss the opposition allegations and concerns. Home minister Umar Naseer had said that the government would not abuse the law.

The penalty for anyone found guilty of terrorism would face a prison sentence between 20 to 25 years. Being an accessory to such a crime could warrant a sentence between 17 to 20 years in prison.

The law also entails a special mechanism under which suspected terrorists can be monitored and controlled.

 

source- haveeru.com