Majlis committee withdraws bill on inquiry commissions for review

The anticipated bill on granting statutory authority to two presidential inquiry commissions has on Wednesday been withdrawn for committee review.

Majlis Speaker Qasim Ibrahim said at the sitting this afternoon that the version of the bill on agenda precedes crucial changes made during initial committee review.

Speaker Qasim stated that the Majlis has received a letter signed by seven members of the committee that review the bill, affirming as such.

The bill, which provisions authority for the commissions established by President Ibrahim Solih in November, giving them support of other state institutions, has been criticised by the opposition as impeding on the authority of said institutions.

MPs aligned with the opposition 'Progressive Coalition' have also raised the question of a potential constitutional conflict over the extent of the authority the bill gives to the commissions.

President Solih has established committees to investigate unresolved murder cases and ‘enforced’ disappearances, as well as for tracing misappropriated state funds and ‘asset recovery’.

At Wednesday’s sitting, the speaker had announced his decision to only go forward with the bill once the committee finalises it again.

The bill has been put on the agenda three times, with the lack of a quorum causing failure for it to come to a vote each time; the bill required over half the 85-seat house to be present at the vote.

The bill was withdrawn on Wednesday while 69 members attended.

Wednesday’s sitting continued amid a demonstration outside the Majlis calling for the bill to be passed.