The Maldivian government has submitted a bill to the People's Majlis proposing that capital punishment be executed by hanging for inmates sentenced to death. The legislation, titled the "Bill on Sentencing and Execution of the Death Penalty," was introduced on behalf of the government by Hanan Mohamed Rasheed, the Member of Parliament for the Guraidhoo constituency.
According to the provisions of the proposed bill, any convict handed the death sentence will face execution by hanging. The legislation defines hanging as placing and tightening a noose around the convict’s neck and suspending them until life is terminated. It further mandates that the apparatus, equipment, and methods utilized must ensure the quickest possible loss of life while minimizing physical suffering to the lowest degree achievable.
The bill strictly specifies that all personnel assigned to carry out the execution must be fully trained for the procedure. In addition, the legislation requires key officials to be physically present at the time of execution, including the Commissioner of Police or a designated representative, the Prosecutor General or a representative, the Commissioner of Prisons or a representative, and a medical doctor.
Under the bill's provisions, executions cannot be conducted in public view. Furthermore, recording the visual imagery or audio of an execution by any means, as well as disseminating or broadcasting such material to the public, is strictly prohibited by law.
The proposed legislation also sets forth specific conditions under which an execution must be stayed or postponed. These include instances where a female convict is pregnant or nursing, delaying execution until the child reaches two years of age. Executions must also be deferred if the convict's physical or mental health deteriorates significantly until recovery, or while legal appeals and judicial review proceedings remain pending before the courts, including the Supreme Court.