Death Penalty Bill to be open for public poll

Press Secretary Abbas Adil Riza has said that the death penalty implementation bill drafted by the Attorney General at the request of President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan will be open for public poll soon on the website of the Attorney General. Abbas said that the bill will be sent to the Peoples’ Majlis with the thoughts of the public regarding the bill. Abbas said that the President Dr. Waheed ordered to draft the bill within 3 weeks time on October 9. He said that this was done after holding discussions with the relevant authorities. He said that all the leaders who participated in these discussions requested the President that a law...

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Posted in: Politics / Religion

“Worst fears over HIV coming true”: Health Minister

Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed has expressed concern about the risks of HIV spreading rapidly in the Maldives, stating that “our worst fears seem to be coming true.” Jamsheed said that although the Maldives had remained on the HIV less-prevalent category since the first HIV positive case was found in 1991, “all the habits that may lead to the spread of HIV is excessively in practice here,” stating that it was only through “incredible luck” that the disease had not already spread widely throughout the country. At the press conference on Sunday, Jamsheed said: “What has always worried me most is that there is a large drug...

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Posted in: Health / HIV

Local actor and famous transsexual among six arrested for possessing illegal drugs

Police have arrested local actor Ibrahim ‘Dhaas’ Giyas along with another man and four women while they were inside a house in Galolhu ward, in possession of illegal drugs and a large amount of cash. In a statement, police said two men and four women were arrested for being in possession of illegal drugs inside the house. The statement did not reveal the identity of those arrested, but local newspapers confirmed that Giyas was among those taken into custody. According to police, the group was inside a house called Kamadhoo when police officers searched their room on the ground floor, and discovered six bullet-sized rubber packets containing...

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Posted in: Society

Religious NGO plans Male’ protest in support of death penalty

Religious NGO “Muslimunge Gulhun” yesterday told local media that it is organising a demonstration calling on the state to implement and enact the death penalty. The demonstration, to be called ‘Thanfeez’ – translated as “implement – is scheduled to be held at 4:oopm on Friday (October 19) at the Artificial Beach area of Male’. The demonstration will mainly focus on advocating for the death penalty, which organisers believe will to bring an end to murders occurring in the Maldives, according to a press briefing held at Muslimunge Gulhun head office. The NGO further stated that the demonstrations would also be used to advocate...

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Posted in: Politics / Religion,Society

Revised penal code to be sent to Majlis

Naifaru MP Ahmed Mohamed has told Sun Online that a review of the Penal Code is due to be sent to the Majlis later this month. The bill – first sent to the Majlis in 2006 – is set to replace the 1961 code, and includes 1204 articles, reported Sun. “We are now completing the pending items which were set aside earlier, and obtaining opinions of different groups on these matters. If the Parliament continues without disruption, we can send the bill to the Parliament floor before the end of the month,” Ahmed said. “The penalties have been revised to suit current times. Exile has been eliminated almost completely,” he added. Ahmed said the bill was long-overdue, having been delayed due to parliamentary unrest and lack of space. He anticipated that the bill would...

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Posted in: News

Threat of HIV pandemic in Maldives: State Health Minister

State Health Minister Lubna Mohamed Zahir Hussain on Wednesday night said that there is an increased risk of the HIV spread in the Maldives. At the ceremony held at Traders hotel to celebrate the conclusion of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) five year project to raise awareness on Aids, financed by the Global Fund, State Health Minister and National Drug Agency Chairperson Lubna said that it has been found that there has been an increase in behavior leading to HIV in the Maldives. She highlighted that the risk for the young generation from these acts is high. “Such things (dangerous actions) can cause an increased spread...

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Posted in: Health / HIV

Waheed government submits bill to facilitate death penalty

The government has announced its intention to introduce a bill to the People’s Majlis in order to guide and govern the implementation of the death penalty in the country. “It is currently a punishment passed by the judiciary and a form of punishment available within the penal system of the Maldives,” said Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed. “But for full guidance and matters governing the matter, legislation is required,” he added. Judiciary and human rights The last execution in the Maldives came in 1953 when Hakim Didi was charged with attempting to assassinate President Ameen using black magic. Since that...

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Posted in: Politics / Religion

Judicial statistics show 90 percent of those convicted for fornication are female

Almost 90 percent of the people found guilty of “Zina” – fornication – and sentenced to flogging in 2011 were female, according to new statistics published by the Department of Judicial Administration last week. A total of 129 fornication cases were filed last year and 104 people sentenced, out of which 93 were female. This includes 10 underage girls (below 18), 79 women between age 18-40 and and four women above 40 years. Of the 11 males who were sentenced, only one was a minor, with the others aged between 25-40. Compared to 2010, the overall sentences in fornication increased by 23 percent in 2011, but the number of males...

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Posted in: Society