An emergency motion filed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) calling to expedite the work on a bill to ban entry into Maldives on Israeli passports has been rejected by the Parliament.
The matter was moved by Galolhu Uthuru MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu). However, the Parliament Secretariat decided not to register it as an emergency motion. MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil said he was concerned about the decision.
"We are very worried that the Parliament did not see it as an urgent matter. It is very worrying that this issue is not accepted when even the government says that it gives such high priority to ban Israeli passports," Nazil told Adhadhu.
Speaking during today's sitting, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla said the matter could not proceed because it did not meet the requirements of an emergency motion. But, he did not elaborate on the decision.
"For the information of MPs, the matter cannot be moved in this sitting as it does not meet the requirements of the emergency motions stated in the rules of the People's Majlis," he said.
The emergency motion, filed by Mohamed Ibrahim, called to expedite the decision to ban Israeli passports on the initiative of Speaker Abdul Raheem.
"We condemn the atrocities committed by Israel against the entire Islamic Ummah and call on the Speaker of Parliament to take the initiative to ban Israeli passports immediately," it stated.
MDP proposed the ban on Israeli passports. The bill is now at the committee stage. On June 2, the government announced that it would ban Israeli passports by amending the laws.
Less than two months later, however, the government changed its tone about banning Israeli passports.
"Some amendments need to be brought to the current bill. The Parliament should proceed by amending the bill in accordance with the decisions taken by the Cabinet," Attorney General Ahmed Usham said.
