The People's Majlis has passed a bill on amendments to the penal code that has proposed for child sexual abuse to be classified as a felony offense.
The bill was passed with the votes of 53 members after being reviewed by the parliament's Human Rights and Gender Committee.
The bill was presented to the parliament floor by MP for Hinnavaru, Jeehan Mahmood.
Article 22 of the Maldives' Penal Code details the 11 crimes classified as felonies. They are;
1. Murder
2. Organised crime
3. Terrorism
4. Money laundering and terrorism financing
5. Human trafficking
6. Drug trafficking
7. Robbery, theft or fraud of amounts larger than MVR 100,000
8. Corruption
9. Gang crimes
10. Physical assault that causes loss of limbs or senses
11. Treason
The Child Rights' bill passed on February 20th has set severe punishments for child sex offenders. Under this bill, child grooming by establishing a trusting relationship with a child through means of gifts, money or similar with the intent of developing sexual contact is criminalized and will result in a ten year sentence.
Moreover, parents or guardians will be legally punished under the Child Rights bill if they purposefully neglect to provide the child with healthcare or does any act that is detrimental to the child's welfare will. They will be sentenced for three year minimum if convicted.
As such, hiding and failing to report a known case of child abuse to relevant authorities is also criminalized and will result in a sentence of five years.
