The People’s Majlis has announced that it has begun an inquiry into Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir’s comments during today’s parliamentary session calling for religious freedom in the Maldives.
During today’s legislative debate on the government-backed Evidence Bill, Jabir advocated for religious freedom in the country before reading a Quranic Passage from Surah Al-Kafirun.
A Majlis spokesperson told local media that the Majlis has launched an investigation into the legislator’s statements, but he didn’t go into any detail.
The Majlis members and their statements during a legislative debate or a committee meeting are given numerous distinctions under the Constitution. According to Article 90 of the Constitution, no member or other person shall be subject to any proceedings in any court, and no person shall be subject to any inquiry, arrest, detention, or prosecution, in relation to anything said in, produced before, or submitted to the People’s Majlis or any of its committee.
But the Constitution’s specified privileges for Majlis members are only permitted if they do not contradict any Islamic principle.
Furthermore, Article 10 of the Constitution says unequivocally that Islam is the official religion, with it serving as the foundation for all Maldivian legislation, and that no law contradictory to any tenet of Islam shall be established in the country. As a result, action can be taken against Jabir only if it is established that he violated Islamic principles.
Following Jabir’s remarks, Yasir Abdul Latheef, Chairperson of the Committee on Member Privileges and Ethics and North-Kulhudhuffushi MP, indicated that Jabir’s words were brought to his notice and that they are being investigated.
