The third amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act has been ratified.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the amendment to the Act (Law No. 32/2015) on Wednesday and since then, it has been publicized in the government gazette.

The bill, passed by the People’s Majlis at the 44th sitting of the third session of 2021 on November 29, came into effect on Wednesday.

With the ratification, amendments have been brought to the sections relating to arrest without a warrant, search and seizure of private premises and remand of accused persons.

Moreover, the bill highlights procedures and rules for those who travelled to war zones and wish to return to Maldives.

Once ratified, the bill will mandate the children of fighters who were born in conflict zones to be registered before their return, if their birth had not been registered previously in accordance with the laws of Maldives.

Those who joined foreign conflicts and wars and return to the Maldives will also be placed in detention upon return. They will be required to complete rehabilitation programmes as well.

In addition, the rights of these detainees and special measures that are put in place to help safeguard the welfare of their children, have also been detailed in the amendment bill.