President Solih re-affirms anti-terrorism efforts, parliament enacts amendments to implement departure taxes from 2022, President Solih announces reopening of borders for tourists from South Asia. Maldives also successfully phases out HCFCs.
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On 30 June, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the first amendment to the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act, stipulating the provision of an official residence for the Speaker of Parliament. The President also ratified the sixth amendment to the Judges Act of Maldives, stipulating the provision of an official residence for the Chief Justice.
On 29 June, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih re-affirmed the government's commitments against terrorism. He also said that eight were being investigated in the 6 May terror attack against Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, investigations into four have been completed, and charges will be filed against them very soon.
On 29 June, Maldives parliament committee passed amendments to implement a departure tax effective from 2022. Under the new amendment, airport service charges of USD12 for locals and USD25 for foreigners will be abolished and a new segmented departure tax will be established - USD90 will be charged for both locals and foreigners traveling in first class, USD60 for locals and foreigners traveling in business class, and USD120 will be charged for locals and foreigners departing via private jets. Foreigners traveling in economy class will be charged USD30 dollars, while locals traveling in economy class will be charged USD12.
On 29 June, President Solih announced that Maldives' borders will be re-opened for tourists from South Asia effective 15 July. Work permit holders from the South Asia region will also be allowed to travel to the Maldives, with quarantine requirements. He also announced that a number of measures implemented in capital Malé will be eased effective 1 July, including allowing those who have recovered from COVID-19 to travel within the country without the need for quarantine. Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem, speaking at the same press conference as the President, said that the government expected to receive stocks of the AstraZeneca vaccine between 12 and 20 July.
On 29 June, the Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem announced that the government will, in July, establish a separate 'Maldives Health Service' to strengthen health care provisions. Health care service providers currently under the Ministry of Health, will be transferred under the service, with the Ministry to continue its role in quality control and monitoring service provision and standards. He also announced plans to established a specialised hospital for COVID-19 patients in Hulhumale.
On 28 June, the Anti-Corruption Commission said it has filed all additional documentation requested by the Prosecutor General's Office on Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof's alleged corruption case.
On 28 June, the parliament started debate on the establishment of a separate foreign service in the Maldives. The Member of Parliament for Henveiru Dhekunu Hussain Shaheem had sponsored the bill.
On 28 June, the parliament approved the appointment of Dr. Hussein Rasheed Hassan as the Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture. It also approved the appointment of Dr. Asim Ahmed, current Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the EU, as the concurrent non-resident Ambassador to Morocco.
On 28 June, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology announced that the Maldives has successfully phased out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC).
On 27 June, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Ahmed Zahir said that the Fatwa Council had been requested for its ruling on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The ministry's request comes amidst wide public debate on the issue after the Human Rights Commission of Maldives said that the culture was being revived in the Maldives, and after certain prominent scholars spoke out in support of FGM. On 29 June, the Ministry said it was investigating the scholar in question. On 29 June, the scholar in question, Dr Mohamed Iyaz, issued an apology, saying that he did not promote FGM but had spoken out against claims that it was not practiced in Islam.
On 26 June, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, speaking on a 'Clubhouse' discussion on the occasion of the Maldivian Democratic Party's 16th anniversary, said the country was at threat from suicide bombers. He called for mass arrests of those with the know-how of ow to create the bombs that will be required for this. He also called for changes to the current procedures on arrest and remand of terror suspects. He also called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to stop being in the back foot and to save the Maldives. On 27 June, the opposition responded to Nasheed's call for mass arrests. It said that people cannot be arrested for political reasons, against the law.
On 24 June, the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services imposed fines on local news website Avas.mv and issued warnings to Adhadhu, One Online and Vaguthu, claiming that their reporting on the kidnap and murder of a 13-year old contravened the provisions in the Child Protection Act. This prompted the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Journalist Association to condemn the Ministry's actions, stating that action against media was not under the ministry's mandate. They portrayed it as a step back in the Maldives' progress on press freedom. The Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi explained the ministry's actions, stating that it was mandated under special provisions in the laws on protecting children and that the Ministry's intentions were not to penalise media. On 28 June, Prosecutor General Hussein Shameem backs the Ministry's authority to take action against media on issues related to protecting the rights of children.
On 24 June, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed met with the President of the German Bundestag, Wolfgang Schauble in Germany.
On 24 June, the Prosecutor General's Office requested the Maldives Police Service to request a hold on former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed's passport. The former minister is currently in the United Kingdom, after failing to return to the Maldives at the expiry of his court-granted approval to seek medical treatment abroad. On 28 June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Waheed had attended the virtual court hearing held on charges filed against him on sexual assault and harassment, from the High Commission of the Maldives in the United Kingdom.
