The government has submitted four significant pieces of legislation to the People’s Majlis, covering real estate development, the implementation of the death penalty, immigration rules and civil defamation remedies.
One bill establishes a framework for the Rasmalé project with Eagle Hills, creating an integrated real estate zone and a Property Regulatory Authority. It sets out escrow requirements for off-plan sales, limits on foreign ownership by nationality, and an absolute bar on Israeli citizens or companies with Israeli shareholding from purchasing property in such zones.
A second bill details the procedure for carrying out death sentences by hanging, ending a long de facto moratorium. It requires full legal representation and final appellate confirmation before any execution can proceed.
The immigration bill rewrites existing rules and makes the ban on holders of Israeli passports unconditional, removing any link to ongoing events in Gaza. It also expands categories of persons denied entry, including those subject to International Criminal Court warrants.
The fourth measure creates civil remedies for defamation, including statements on social media, with courts required to award damages between MVR 50,000 and MVR 500,000 when claims succeed. Defamation remains a civil rather than criminal matter.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu briefed the press on the bills. He described claims of an imminent definitive agreement with Eagle Hills as inaccurate and rejected calls for a public referendum on Rasmalé. He also affirmed the intention to implement the death penalty in accordance with the constitution and Islamic principles.
The bills arrive ahead of planned opposition protests over the Rasmalé project. The ruling party holds a substantial majority in parliament.
