Parliament cancels public forum on Transitional Justice Bill over virus fears

The Parliament, on Wednesday, announced the cancellation of a public forum scheduled to gauge public opinion regarding the Transitional Justice Bill following the emergence of COVID-19 in Maldives.

The forum had been scheduled for 8:15 – 10:30 pm on the fourth floor of the parliamentary building this Wednesday.

Those who were scheduled to appear as panelist to discuss the bill included Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath; Chair of Human Rights and Gender Committee, Hinnavaru MP Jeehan Mahmood; Chair of Judiciary Committee, North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy; Thulhaadhoo MP Hisan Hussain; and South Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed.

Parliament’s Media Director Hassan Ziyau confirmed the public forum has been cancelled.

He told Sun that the forum had been cancelled because the Parliament did not feel it to be “the right time to hold such a forum given the current situation”.

Eight people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives, all of whom are foreign nationals. Of the eight people, four are from Kuredu Island Resort, two from Sandies Bathala Maldives, and two from Kuramathi Island Resort.

The emergence of the deadly virus in Maldives has led to authorities warning against unnecessary public gatherings.

The forum on transitional justice bill, which has now been cancelled, was the second public forum to be organized by the Parliament. The first public forum had been held on March 5, and had been regarding the declaration of a national minimum wage. The forum had been held prior to the identification of the first COVID-19 case in Maldives, and had attracted a number of members of the general public.