New Penal Code to come into effect Monday

Efforts are under way by the parliament to complete the review of the amendments proposed to the new Penal Code, before it comes into effect on Monday, 13 April 2015.

Concluding today’s parliament sitting, Speaker Abdulla Maseeh said that if the work can be completed this week, a parliament sitting will be scheduled for Sunday to finalise the issues.

He said that discussions will be held in this regard with leaders of political parties, and it would not make much difference if the sitting is delayed by one day and held on Monday - the same day as the new law comes into effect.

Amendments have been proposed to the new Penal Code by Makunudhoo MP Anara Naeem and Guraidhoo MP Ibrahim Riza.

Anara has proposed to include “Qisas” in Article 1205 of the Penal Code, the Islamic Sharia concept which allows the death penalty.

Article 1205 presently states that a person convicted of a crime shall be given punishments in line with the principles of Islamic Sharia, as prescribed in the Penal Code and the Quran.

Riza has proposed over 60 amendments to the new Penal Code.