MPs accept motion to repeal anti-defamation law

Parliament on Monday accepted the motion to repeal the anti-defamation law, sending it to the committee on independent institutions.

48 MPs voted in favour of accepting the motion, while 17 voted against it. Two MPs chose to abstain from the vote.

The motion to repeal the anti-defamation law, introduced in August 2016, was submitted by North-Henveiru constituency MP Abdulla Shahid.

Submitting the motion to the parliament secretariat last month, the former parliament speaker noted that the anti-defamation law contradicts with articles 27- right to freedom of expression- and 33- right to protect one’s reputation and good name- as well as international treaties that the Maldives is party to.

Emphasizing that the motion was submitted as it violates constitutional rights, MP Shahid noted that the repeal of the defamation law is an important pledge of President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

While the law was passed amid protests by journalists over the various obstructions to press freedom, Shahid highlighted that the Joint Opposition decided to repeal it in honour of the brave journalists that have served the country.

Noting that the motion was submitted in honour of abducted journalist Ahmed Rilwan and slain blogger Yameen Rasheed, the lawmaker added that this step was taken “to remove the tapes on the mouths of Maldivian citizens and to break the bonds that entrap journalists”.

While the bill was presented to the parliament floor on Monday, MP Shahid said that they did so while "recalling the many sacrifices of journalists, bloggers, TV stations and civil society to uphold Artcile 27".

Ruling party MPs defended the anti-defamantion law during Monday's sitting.