MP Saleem: Path leading towards reinstating the blue constitution

Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem has said that the country is following a path towards reinstating the blue constitution which was followed before the current green constitution and that the main purpose of the new constitution was to not allow authorities or governement figures to arrest anyone as they pleased.

The parliament reconvened today during its recess period after some members called for a parliamentary session regarding the amendments presented to the Anit-terrorism law.

The amendments include the power to arrest people accused or suspected of terror without a court warrant. MP Saleem wasted no time in expressing his concerns regarding the amendments when the floor was opened for debate regarding the parliamentary session of today.

MP Saleem noted that the current powers of arrest allowed security services to apprehend people and decide on their detention within 24 hours. He then questioned the purpose of why the country was reneging on the law and going back to the past when individuals could be detained without any due process.

"While the law is established, we are returning to the time of tyranny which was not good for the country. So why don't we bring back the blue constitution once again? Why don't we terminate the green constitution and give the government's highest authority the power to do as they please? Isn't it the desired result when the autocracy gets the power to do as they please?," MP Saleem expressed his discontent with the amendments.

Under the current law, a person must be presented before a judge within 24 hours of his detention. The amendments to the Anti-terrorism law if passed would allow authorities to detain a person for 48 hours.