Male' - Maldives: During the past week, The Majlis has passed the Child Rights Protection Bill submitted by Hon. Rozaina Adam, MP for Addu Meedhoo Constituency on behalf of the government and the Juvenile Justice Bill, submitted by Hon. Meekail Ahmed Naseem, MP for Galolhu (South) Constituency on behalf of the government. As Maldives celebrated 30th anniversary of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this was a positive set towards Child Rights in the country. Details of the bills currently being drafted by Majlis: - Bill on Amendment to Decentralization Act The drafting of this bill is being carried out by the Committee on Decentralization. So far, 11 committee meetings have been carried out by the committee. - Bill to Amend the Police Act (5/2008) Drafting of this bill is being carried out by the chosen subcommittee. The subcommittee chosen for this bill has carried out 12 committee meetings to discuss about the bill. - Job Seekers Allowance Bill The subcommittee chosen to draft the bill has started its initial drafting work, and is seeking technical help from relevant authorities. - Bill to amend Anti-Corruption Commission Act The drafting of this bill is being carried out by the Committee on Independent Institutions. So far, 3 committee meetings have been carried out to discuss about the Bill Apart from the bills being drafted as of now, the committees are working hard deliberating issues sent to the respective committees. Such that, the Committee on National Security Services has been investigating the report compiled by the Presidential Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances, on the murder of Dr. Afrasheem Ali. In addition, the Budget Committee has done an important task of reviewing the proposed 2020 Budget. During the preliminary debate, 76 members participated in the debate for the 2020 budget. The Budget Committee chosen to review the proposed 2020 Budget has carried out 17 committee meetings and met and held discussions with 14 respective institutions. The Budget Committee has now completed the budget review process and complied the committee report on the proposed 2020 budget. Speaker’s Appointments and Official visits - Hon. Speaker of the People’s Majlis visited GA. Villingili Island on an official visit on 31 October 2019. During his visit Speaker inaugurated “Dhekunu Mahaasinthaa” (South Conference), an atoll level conference with participants from the Southernmost 4 atolls. The Speaker also laid the foundation of the powerhouse building in Villingili. - On 30th October 2019, the ambassador of Cuba, H.E Ms Juana Elena Ramos Rodriguez paid a courtesy call on the Speaker. The Speaker also met with the Co-Director of the Institute of Federalism at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, Prof. Eva Maria Belser. - On 5th November 2019, UAE Ambassador, H.E Dr. Saeed Alshamsi and on 7th November 2019, Sri Lankan Ambassador, H.E Kohona Walawwe Nimal Dharmakeerthi Karunaratne paid courtesy calls on the Speaker. - The Speaker also met with the Executive Directors of World Bank on 7th November 2019. - On18th November 2019, the Speaker met with The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Mr. Nils Melzer. Moreover, on 20th November 2019, the Ambassador of India to the Maldives, H.E. Sunjay Sudhir also paid a courtesy call on the Speaker International Visitor Leadership Program MP for Maafannu (North), Hon. Imthiyaz Fahmy and MP for Thulhaadhoo, Hon. Hisaan Hussain are currently in the US to participate in the US State Departments International Visitor Leadership Program. -END - For all media enquiries, please contact: Mr. Hassan Ziyau Director, Media People’s Majlis Secretariat (Parliament of the Maldives) Tel: 3312107 Email: [email protected] Follow news related to the People’s Majlis on Twitter: @mvpeoplesmajlis