40 days to Israel passport ban review without debate

The amendment bill on Maldives Immigration Act, seeking a ban of entry to Israel passport holders, has been at the committee stage for the past 40 days.

While the bill is in committee for reviewal, it has not been put on agenda of any of the committee’s meetings according to ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah.

The bill was submitted to parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241) earlier on June 10^th.

Falah, who is also the vice chair of the 241 committee, while speaking with ‘Sun’ said they are uncertain when the bill would be put on agenda. He said the bill’s proceedings will require additional time due to its crucial nature, and added the committee was still conducting researches.

The parliamentary group of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) expressed concerns over the bill’s delays two weeks earlier, and claimed the bill was in committee limbo.

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad was critical about the ruling party’s conduct regarding the bill, and claiming pro-government MPs did not debate on it thoroughly.

The members in their defense said they abstained from debating on the bill to expedite its proceedings.

The initial bill seeking to ban Israeli passport holders and citizens from entering the Maldives, was submitted by South-Galolhu MP Meekhail Ahmed Naseem, which was accepted by the state and make necessary changes to it.

A total of 88 members voted in favor of forwarding the bill to the 241 committee for reviewal.

Government’s announcement for an Israeli passport ban came after the public held multiple demonstrations demanding the ban.