Local NGO Maldives Centre for Human Rights and Democracy led by former Attorney General Husnu Suood has called on Speaker Abdulla Shahid to launch an inquiry into the “lowly and disgraceful behaviour” of MPs during last week’s disrupted parliament sittings.
In a letter sent to the Speaker yesterday, the NGO said that MPs “should apologise to the Maldivian people at a sitting of the People’s Majlis.”
In a number of videos uploaded to YouTube by MP Shifaq Mufeed of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), several MPs were heard using obscene language against each other.
Moreover, newspaper Haveeru journalists caught video footage of MP Ahmed Mahlouf strike former opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Deputy Leader Ali Waheed on the back.
The NGO stated in its letter that last week’s incidents had not only harmed the standing of parliament among the public, but had “raised serious doubts” about the legitimacy of Acts of parliament and undermined public trust in the institution.
