High Court yet to hold hearing for case seeking to annul Defamation Act's clauses
The court had scheduled a hearing in July, which was cancelled
Entrance to the High Court premises in capital city Malé
The High Court has yet to hold a hearing for the case to have clauses in the Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act repealed, while a year has passed since it was filed.
The court had scheduled a hearing in July, which was cancelled.
The case pursues annulment of these clauses on the grounds that they obstruct constitutionally guaranteed liberties.
It was filed by lawyers Maumoon Hameed, Mahaaz Shareef, and Ibrahim Shameel, who had asked for indictments on the enforcement of defamation allegations since the case was accepted by the court in January.
The lawyers have asked the High Court to order the parliament to amend the act to ‘standards that fit modern democratic principles’.
The law was ratified in August last year, and even before it had been proposed in parliament, political opposition and journalists had protested it over restrictions it would place on the freedom of speech.
The Defamation Act, which was written by pro-government lawmaker MP Ahmed Nihan, outlaws comments defaming individuals, anti-Islamic rhetoric, and statements that are considered to be ‘threats to national security.
Individuals and organizations found guilty under the act are liable for fines between MVR 50,000 and 2 million.
