Nasheed writes in his blog:

The 35 page bill, containing 62 provisions, does several things.

It defines at least 18 different acts as “child sex offences” and prescribes comparatively harsher penalties – with jail terms ranging between 14 years and 25 years without the possibility of bail, parole or early release. It provides harsher penalties for offenders who abuse and molest children while being placed in a position of trust in relation to a victim. It goes on to list a catalogue of relationships considered as relations of trust in relation to children.

It suspends or restricts certain fundamental rights provided in the constitution otherwise available to persons accused of offences – such as the right to silence and the right to release from custody if investigation can be conducted without subjecting the accused to continuing detention.

It provides a procedure for the prosecutor general, on behalf of the state, and at the request of the commissioner of police, to apply to the High Court for an order to keep the accused involved in a child sex offence in “continuing custody” both during investigation as well as trial. It also spells out a procedure for the prosecutor general, acting on behalf of the state, to apply to the High Court for an order to keep a child sex offender in “continuous supervision” of the corrections department even if the offender has completed serving his sentence, and in some extreme cases, to keep the person in “continued detention” despite having served his sentence in full.

It asks the state to provide social security for the victim, in case the child cannot be supported by his or her parents or guardians in those new and special circumstances of trauma and rehabilitation. It requires the state to provide rehabilitation and counseling for victims of child sex offences.

The Dhivehi text of the bill can be viewed by visiting this link or by visiting this website and following the “Majlis Agenda” link on the right side of the screen.

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