Speaker of the Parliament, Abdulla Shahid, has called for action to end the genocide and brutality being carried out by terrorist Israel in Gaza. Shahid made this call while delivering a speech at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) currently underway in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In his speech, Shahid expressed the Maldives’ concern over the ongoing unrest in Gaza and the dire situation facing its people, and called for urgent international action to end the brutality and maintain justice.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s IPU Assembly, “The Role of Parliaments in Achieving Social Development and Justice,” the Speaker highlighted the role of parliaments in legislating, overseeing compliance with laws and regulations, and improving people’s lives through political will. He noted important laws passed by the Maldives Parliament to promote social justice, including the Child Rights Protection Act, Gender Equality Act, Domestic Violence Prevention Act, and Social Health Insurance Act. The Speaker also said that these laws are being effectively implemented through parliamentary committees.
He highlighted President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s emphasis on modernizing the zakat system and providing aid at a modern standard, and spoke about the Maldives’ efforts to reduce poverty and ensure equal access to essential services. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of promoting economic empowerment through small and medium enterprises, especially providing necessary assistance to youth and women, mentioning free aid, loan, and training programs provided to such individuals.
Discussing the challenges and opportunities of digital technology, the Speaker highlighted the Maldives’ focus on ICT, digital inclusion, and e-governance to ensure no one is left behind in the digital age. In his speech, he noted that climate change is a threat to the Maldives, appealed to IPU members to protect vulnerable countries and act sustainably, and called for climate justice.
