The 19th parliament has approved the transitional justice bill that seeks to investigate acts of corruption and human rights violations by authority figures in the government and its related institutions.

The bill was passed with the votes of 68 members of the parliament, while three members voted against the bill.

The transitional justice bill was introduced by the MP for Central Hithadhoo Constituency, Ahmed Rasheed.

The bill aims to investigate acts of corruption and systematic violation of human rights that occurred between January 1st, 2012 and 17th November 2018 and create regulations that will bring justice to the victims of those acts.

The legislation was drafted with the objective of maintaining peace and unity within society while establishing a progressive government that promotes civil societies.

Once put into effect, the legislation will establish an Ombudsman office and appoint three Ombudsmen of the president's choice.

Responsibilities of the Ombudsman office include investigating acts between January 1st, 2012 and 17th November 2018 by senior officials in state institutions that may have violated a human right to hold perpetrators accountable, and compensate victims while identifying the root causes behind these acts, in order to revise regulations accordingly and take preventative measures.

The legislation will come into effect after the bill is published in the Government's Gazette.