UN special rapporteur praises Maldives

The UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression yesterday welcomed the passage of a bill in parliament to decriminalise defamation.

Frank La Rue called for the move when he visited the Maldives in March.

The bill submitted to parliament by the government abolishes articles 150 to 166 of the country’s penal code, under which defamation was a criminal offence and punishable by a sentence of exile, house detention or fine.

In a press release on the UN website, La Rue urged all states where defamation is criminalised to follow the Maldives’ example.

“In addition, any provisions that allow public officials to bring defamation suits with regard to their actions in public office should be totally eliminated,” he stressed.

La Rue said he hoped his other recommendations to the Maldives, such as the adoption of an anti-monopoly legislation, particularly with regard to communications, would be considered.