Parliament starts debate on Narcotics Bill
| DATE: 2010-03-10 | PRINT |
While submitting the bill, according to the new regulation of the parliament, Interim Leader of Parliamentary Group of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik, said the proposed court would have distinct powers and authority.
“The court’s mandate includes advising the government on conducting rehabilitation programs and clemency. The court will function similar to any other court of the judicial system,” he said.
Kulhudhuffushi-North MP Mohamed Nasheed criticised the proposal saying that it did not fit the actual concept of a Drug Court.
A Drug Court should operate outside of the judiciary, but in a similar way as a judicial court, he added
“The court should be managed by technical judges. The court’s responsibility should be to postpone implementing the judgement invoked on the crime committed by the person, if the crime involves drugs and to provide the opportunity for rehabilitation, for not more than two years. If the person completes the rehabilitation period, the judgement will not be effective,” Nasheed said.
He emphasised that the court should not only facilitate addicts with rehabilitation, but the judgement should be invoked solely by the court.
While criticising the amendments submitted by the government, Nasheed said the penalties for abusing ‘soft’ drugs were more relaxed than the punishment given to a person who issues a bounce cheque worth Rf 600.
“[The duration of the penalty] is usually for 3-6 months or 3-9 months, while the maximum [period] is for around 9 months. This means that the penalty given to soft drug abusers in Maldives is much more relaxed compared to other countries,” he added. “There are some elements in the bill where the suspect is given a penalty of six months for refusing to provide urine sample [for the investigation], but a person who uses drugs is punished for only three months. I urge [the government] to amend such elements.”
While proposing the Bill, ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik said the current Narcotics Law prevented the government from tackling the narcotics problem. The amended law would tighten the penalties given to drug abusers, he added.
‘Reeko’ Moosa said the National Nadrcotics Agency would take the responsibility of drug-related cases, once the new law is ratified.
“A National Narcotics Council chaired by Vice President will be established. The Council will supervise the works of the National Narcotics Agency. The Council will act under special authority, providing advice to the government on making regulations to tackle drug abuse and trafficking in the country,” he continued.
| DATE: 2010-03-10 | PRINT |
The parliament has started debating on Narcotics Bill proposed by the government with an amendment to establish a separate court for proceedings concerning drug-related cases.
While submitting the bill, according to the new regulation of the parliament, Interim Leader of Parliamentary Group of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik, said the proposed court would have distinct powers and authority.
“The court’s mandate includes advising the government on conducting rehabilitation programs and clemency. The court will function similar to any other court of the judicial system,” he said.
Kulhudhuffushi-North MP Mohamed Nasheed criticised the proposal saying that it did not fit the actual concept of a Drug Court.
A Drug Court should operate outside of the judiciary, but in a similar way as a judicial court, he added
“The court should be managed by technical judges. The court’s responsibility should be to postpone implementing the judgement invoked on the crime committed by the person, if the crime involves drugs and to provide the opportunity for rehabilitation, for not more than two years. If the person completes the rehabilitation period, the judgement will not be effective,” Nasheed said.
He emphasised that the court should not only facilitate addicts with rehabilitation, but the judgement should be invoked solely by the court.
While criticising the amendments submitted by the government, Nasheed said the penalties for abusing ‘soft’ drugs were more relaxed than the punishment given to a person who issues a bounce cheque worth Rf 600.
“[The duration of the penalty] is usually for 3-6 months or 3-9 months, while the maximum [period] is for around 9 months. This means that the penalty given to soft drug abusers in Maldives is much more relaxed compared to other countries,” he added. “There are some elements in the bill where the suspect is given a penalty of six months for refusing to provide urine sample [for the investigation], but a person who uses drugs is punished for only three months. I urge [the government] to amend such elements.”
While proposing the Bill, ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik said the current Narcotics Law prevented the government from tackling the narcotics problem. The amended law would tighten the penalties given to drug abusers, he added.
‘Reeko’ Moosa said the National Nadrcotics Agency would take the responsibility of drug-related cases, once the new law is ratified.
“A National Narcotics Council chaired by Vice President will be established. The Council will supervise the works of the National Narcotics Agency. The Council will act under special authority, providing advice to the government on making regulations to tackle drug abuse and trafficking in the country,” he continued.
