Letter to Parliament Speaker seeking to clarify delays behind Israel passport ban bill

South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem has sent a letter to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, requesting to clarify the reasons behind the delays in work related to the bill submitted to amend Maldives Immigration Act in order to ban entry to Israel passport holders.

The bill was forwarded to the Committee on National Security Service (241 Committee) for review on July 10^th. Today marks 60 days without the Commtitee scheduling the bill on the agenda.

MP Meekail sent a letter to the Parliament Speaker on Wednesday expressing concern over the delay. His letter underscored that no work regarding the bill had taken place, despite it being at the Committee for 59 days. Henceforth, he asked to clarify why the bill had not been scheduled.

When questioned on the matter back in July, PNC’s Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, who serves as 241 Committee’s Vice Chairperson, said the bill’s proceedings will require additional time due to its crucial nature, adding that the Committee was still conducting researches. However, 20 days have passed since then.

The parliamentary group of main opposition MDP expressed concerns over the bill’s delays, stressing the bill was in committee limbo.

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad was critical of the ruling party’s conduct regarding the bill, and accused pro-government MPs of not debating on the bill thoroughly.

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

The bill seeking to ban Israeli passport holders and citizens from entering the Maldives was submitted by MP Meekail. It was accepted with the government’s backing, citing the need to make necessary changes to it.

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

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