MDP passes to submit bill criminalizing ‘India Out’ campaign to Parliament

Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Parliamentary Group has passed to submit bill to the Parliament which aims to criminalize the opposition coalition’s ‘India Out’ campaign, which calls for the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives.

It has been some time since MDP’s Parliamentary Group has been discussing submitting a bill to the Parliament to allow criminal punishment against individuals acting and talking in a manner that disrupts diplomatic relations. Whilst a draft of the bill has been formulated – it states that criminal punishments such as jail sentences and fines can be enforced on individuals who act in a manner that disrupts diplomatic relations.

At a meeting held today, MDP’s Parliamentary Group decided to submit the bill to the Parliament at the earliest and pass it into law.

MDP member, Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed confirmed to Sun that the Parliamentary Group had decided to submit the bill to the Parliament, make amendments and pass it into law.

As per the current draft of the bill, individuals found guilty of acting in a manner that disrupts diplomatic relations can be sentenced to jail for a period of six months or sentenced to home confinement for a period that is not longer than one year. They can also be fined up to MVR 20,000.

Whilst MDP that has close ties with India has commenced efforts to draft a bill – they have a supermajority at the parliament. Therefore, a bill submitted by the party can easily be passed into law.

‘India Out’ campaign which is spearheaded by opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has been expanded across the country, with supporters graffitiing walls of their houses with messages pertaining to the campaign.

Yameen has stressed that passing a law will not stop ‘India Out’ campaign.

The opposition’s ‘India Out’ campaign claims that Indian military personnel being stationed in the Maldives is a threat to the country’s national security. They also claim it to be a concern of many Maldivian citizens.

Whist MDP is submitting a bill to criminalize actions that disrupt diplomatic relations – MDP’s Leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed is a strong critique of China.