News

The Democrats: Supreme Court cannot amend the Parliament’s regulations

Published

6 months ago

07/11/2023

The Democrats state Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to amend the parliament’s regulations with respect to the current debate over who is to chair the no-confidence motion against the Speaker of Parliament, and in other circumstances.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a petition filed by MDP seeking to establish the parliament cannot proceed with any other of its works while the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed is pending.

Democrats have also intervened in this case.

Speaking on behalf of the Democrats, lawyer Abdulla Shaairu said the impeachment case was a special case, as it involved the head of one of the three powers of the state.

According to Article 205 (e) of the parliament’s regulation, the Deputy Speaker shall preside over the session where the motion for impeachment is on the agenda.

Shaairu said that the rules state the deputy speaker must preside over the sitting as it is the best practice for the next person to assume the post to preside over the sitting when the no-confidence vote is taken against Speaker.

Justice Husnu Al Suood then questioned why the parliament’s did not specify a specific person to preside over the impeachment of the country’s president or chief justice.

In response, Shaairu said the Parliament is a separate power. There is no set way to proceed in the rules to act in such circumstances, he said, adding that there would be no conflict of interest in the removal of the President or Chief Justice of the country no matter who presides over the case.

“I believe the rule is that it is special. The Speaker of Parliament is the administrative head of Parliament and the highest authority of Parliament. Not the other person [Deptuty Speaker]. The Deputy Speaker was entrusted with the responsibility for this reason; as the person being impeached is the Speaker of Parliament,” Shairu said.

Speaking on behalf of the Democrats, West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef said that any other lawmaker appointed by the Speaker of Parliament to preside over the sitting in circumstances Speaker is unable to fulfill his responsibilities does not inherit the power that is bestowed upon the Speaker. The only power they get is to preside over a sitting, he added.

Hassan Latheef said the Deputy Speaker is the only person who shares the powers of the Speaker of Parliament.

He said other lawmakers have been obstructed from being conferred that power to obstruct them from presiding over the impeachment case and concluding it unjustly.

Underscoring that the parliament is a separate power and the sensitivity of what is happening within the parliament is too great, Hassan Latheef said the regulations of the parliament should be enforced within the parliament.

Shairu said the Democrats believe that the Supreme Court adding anything to the parliament’s regulations is changing them.

It is unconstitutional and the Supreme Court does not have that power, he said.

Article 205 of the parliament’s regulations does not stipulate the course of action if the Duty Speaker is unable to preside sitting. MDP is asking the Supreme Court to establish leeway for the no-confidence motion to proceed even if it is achieved by a member other than the Deputy Speaker presiding over the sitting.

Source(s): sun.mv

World

Hamas plans to suspend Gaza ceasefire negotiations if Israel attacks Rafah

Published

14 hours ago

02/05/2024

Hamas said on Wednesday that ceasefire negotiations with Israel would be suspended if Israel attacks the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, said in an interview with Lebanon-based al-Manar TV that Hamas would halt all indirect negotiations with Israel if it launches military operations against Rafah.

Accusing Israel of seeking “to blackmail all the parties by its threats of attacking Rafah,” the official said “the resistance is still having its power to defend our people.”

On Monday, a Hamas delegation left Cairo and said they would return with a written response to the latest truce proposal.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on his seventh visit to the Middle East, on Wednesday urged Hamas to accept the truce deal which would see 33 hostages released in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners and a halt to the fighting, with the possibility of further steps towards a comprehensive deal later.

“Israel has made very important compromises,” he said. “There’s no time for further haggling. The deal is there. They (Hamas) should take it.”

A senior Hamas official said on Wednesday that Hamas was still studying the proposed deal but said Israel was the real obstacle.

Israel is holding off sending a delegation to Cairo for follow-up truce talks, pending a response from Hamas’ leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, an Israeli official told Reuters.

Israel’s military chief of staff Herzi Halevi on Wednesday said that the country’s offensive operation in Gaza “will continue with strength” and that Israel was “preparing for an offensive in the north.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously said that Israel will enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalions there “with or without” a deal with Hamas.

With an Israeli ground operation in Rafah on the horizon, United Nations (UN) aid chief Martin Griffiths said on Tuesday that Israeli improvements to aid access in Gaza “cannot be used to prepare for or justify a full-blown military assault on Rafah.”

More than one million people face famine after six months of the conflict, the UN has said.

As night fell on Wednesday, Israeli planes and tanks pounded several areas across Gaza, residents and Hamas-linked media said.

Medics in Gaza said at least 27 Palestinians were killed in strikes on Wednesday, with others likely hurt or killed in areas they were unable to reach.

To speed the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, the U.S. military has so far constructed over 50 percent of a maritime pier that will be placed off the coast of Gaza, according to the Pentagon.

However, U.S. lawmakers have questioned whether the pier is a worthwhile endeavor. On the one hand, it will cost the American taxpayers at least $320 million to operate the pier for only 90 days; on the other hand, the U.S. military personnel could become targets of Hamas militants, Republican Senator Roger Wicker told Reuters.

Source(s): CGTN

News

Solih reassures MDP dedication to protecting workers’ rights

Published

1 day ago

01/05/2024

Former President and Advisor of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights.

In a post on social media, Solih extended his congratulations to all Maldivian workers on International Labour Day, highlighting the advocacy of MDP for crucial policies like safeguarding workers’ rights and implementing a minimum wage. He also assured that the party remains dedicated to upholding the rights of workers

The world celebrates International Labour Day annually on May 1.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Efforts underway to limit Hajj pilgrimage rates

Published

1 day ago

01/05/2024

Maldives Hajj Corporation (MHC) has initiated significant steps to substantially lower the prices of Hajj pilgrimage trips, aligning with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s presidential pledge to reduce costs for travellers from Maldives.

In a post shared on social media, Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel announced the establishment of the “Hajj Fund,” aimed at reducing pilgrim expenses while creating income-generating opportunities for the corporation, thus strengthening its financial stability. He underscored that efforts are currently underway to minimise Hajj trip costs, with an increase in real estate investments.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed affirmed that restructuring the Hajj Corporation would substantially decrease Hajj pilgrimage rates. He further emphasised the Ministry’s proactive measures under the new administration to address this issue. This year, the Hajj Corporation has disbursed USD 4,537 with over 7,000 individuals on the waiting list. The government has officially allocated 100 quotas to the Maldives to mitigate the waiting list and alleviate high pilgrimage costs incurred.

Minister Shaheem stated that if additional quotas are to be granted, private entities will be engaged in organising pilgrimage trips, adhering to the list compiled by the Hajj Corporation.

Source(s): PsmNews