Committee passes May 6 inquiry report, recommends reinforced security measures

Parliament’s Security Services Committee (241 Committee) has concluded its inquiry into Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed’s security breach in relation to the IED attack on May 6, and passed the final report.

The report was passed with a majority vote of committee members last Wednesday night.

The report, proposed by committee deputy chair, West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef, makes 45 recommendations.

The report covers general security to Nasheed, and his security at his residence and during his travel via air, land and sea.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Access control and 24-hour armed security at Nasheed’s residence, when he’s in or out of the residence
• Adjusting Nasheed’s security in accordance with the threat level assessed by Defense Intelligence Service
• Ensuring Nasheed’s car is a standard armed vehicle, and doing a thorough check before each use
• Implementation of the recommendations Defense Intelligence Service makes following its threat assessments
• CCTV surveillance of area around Nasheed’s residence

The report also recommends conducting scheduled refresher training for all members of Nasheed’s close protection team and ensuring the vehicles they use have reinforced security, and making it mandatory for members of the close protection team to be vetted by both Defense Intelligence Service and the police on an annual basis.

It recommends that police provide assistance to implement recommendations by Defense Intelligence Service following threat assessments, as well as assistance to provide security and protection to Nasheed when needed.

The report also recommends establishing a harmonized data system as soon as possible, through which Maldives National Defense Force, the police and other institutions declared on the Counter-Terrorism Act can exchange intelligence on matters that may threaten national security.

The report recommends expedition of the implementation of whole government approach and whole society approach to curb the spread of extremism in Maldives, and for Islamic Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Gender Ministry to pay special attention to matters under their purview in the efforts to counter terrorism and extremism under the policies.

The report also recommends reviewing the legal and other challenges in finding telecommunication data to improve the efficiency of counter-terrorism efforts and take action, and finding solutions to the challenges.

The report calls for the establishment of a mechanism to identify and take action against people who engage in communications that incite terrorism and extremism via media and social media.

Committee chair, North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam said information that may threaten national security was redacted from the report when sent to the Parliament floor, but that the information will be included in reports sent to the President and Chief Justice.

Aslam thanked committee members for their cooperation in completing the inquiry.