The Maldives’ parliament returned the Prison and Parole Bill to the national security committee for review after President Waheed Hassan Manik refused to ratify it, citing the lack of detail regarding establishment of a women’s centre and Maldives Correctional Service institution, reports local media.
The bill was originally submitted three years ago, passed in 2012, and was then returned to parliament by Waheed in January 2013.
The bill mandates establishment of specialised centres for holding women and children in custody.
It would also create the Maldives Correctional Service, however the bill did not specify which state party would be responsible for establishing the institution.