The Maldivian government has submitted a bill to the People's Majlis proposing key amendments to the Penal Code to criminalize economic sabotage, treason, and acts of hate targeting specific religions or nationalities. The bill was sponsored on behalf of the government by MP Abdulla Rifau, representing the Maafannu South constituency of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
Under the proposed legislation, a dedicated chapter will be introduced to classify acts detrimental to the nation's economic security and acts of treason as major offenses. The bill specifically outlaws any intentional or reckless actions that cause severe damage to the economy, including disrupting key critical infrastructure, tampering with related computer systems, interrupting essential public services, or halting operations in major state revenue-generating sectors.
The amendments also outline specific offenses constituting state treason, which include waging war against the Maldives or actively assisting and colluding with such groups, whether operating inside the country or abroad. In addition, the bill incorporates a distinct chapter on genocide, establishing severe penalties for anti-Islamic activities and defining crimes committed against groups based on nationality, race, ethnicity, or religion.
The provisions regarding genocide classify killing members of a protected group, inflicting serious bodily harm or mental trauma, intentionally subjecting groups to destructive living conditions, preventing births, and forcibly transferring children as criminal acts. Furthermore, publicly inciting or calling for such actions will also be prosecuted as an offense under the proposed changes.
According to the bill, these amendments aim to align Maldivian domestic law with the international Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The legislation further stipulates that any individual convicted of offenses specified under the bill will face statutory penalties and be permanently barred from holding any public post or civil service employment.