Parliament passes revised organ transplant bill

The People's Majlis on Tuesday passed a revised Human Organ Transplant Bill, prohibiting organ donations by people in state custody and prisoners while reducing penalties for offences under the law.

The bill was originally passed by Parliament in May. However, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu returned it for reconsideration instead of granting assent, citing concerns over provisions allowing prisoners to donate organs.

In returning the bill, the President said people in detention have limited autonomy and may not be able to provide free and informed consent without the possibility of coercion.

The Parliament's Social Affairs Committee reviewed the bill and, on 1 July, unanimously agreed to amend it to prohibit organ donations by prisoners. The revised committee report was approved by Parliament on Tuesday with 58 votes in favour.

Under the amended bill, an organ donor:

The revised legislation also changes the penalties for offences under the Human Organ Transplant Act.

Under the amended bill, anyone convicted of an offence under the Act will be liable to a fine of between MVR 150,000 and MVR 250,000 and a prison sentence of between 12 and 18 months.

The version previously passed by Parliament provided for penalties that included Qisas or Diyyah in accordance with Islamic Shariah, together with a fine of between MVR 250,000 and MVR 500,000 and a prison sentence of between 18 and 24 months.