The Peoples’ Majlis has
yesterday accepted the amendment to the Clemency Act proposed by Fares Mathoda
MP, Ibrahim Muthalib.
The amendment which was
earlier proposed by Hoarafushi MP, Ahmed Rasheed’s although he later decided to
withdraw it, require the courts to execute death penalty upon murderers if the
Supreme Court upheld a guilty verdict.
The bill was accepted by
the Majlis with a majority of 42 members in favour of the amendment. 14 members
voted against the bill whilst 3 members did not vote on either side.
Earlier during the initial
debate on the amendment on 13 April, Muthalib said that the escalating gang
killings in the country rekindled him to propose this amendment as to reinstate
capital punishment in Maldives. He said that under the Shari’a law, the death
penalty can be administered to those who commit murder and crimes against the
community.
Meanwhile, the recent waves of street violence
have resulted in loss of life to a number of people – mostly young people and
have resulted in injury to people, damage to property.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul
Baaree earlier said that “the governing structure or system should be based on
Islamic principles and Shariah. In such a government, all the power is not
concentrated in the hands of the leader or the People’s Majlis. These bodies do
not have the choice to make laws that are against the Shariah and impose it on
the people.”
