Maldives Drafts New Anti-Bullying Law, Aiming to Criminalise Offensive Acts

In a decisive response to growing public concern, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that his administration has begun drafting comprehensive "anti-bullying" legislation designed to legally define and punish bullying as a criminal offense. 

The move comes in the wake of widespread public outrage following the tragic death of an 18-year-old girl on the Maldives National University (MNU) campus last week, which was rumoured to be linked to severe bullying.

Addressing the nation at his weekly press conference, President Muizzu began his remarks by acknowledging the profound severity of the issue. He stated that bullying is a "deep rooted interconnected" societal problem, prevalent from young children to adults, both in the Maldives and globally, and that stronger measures are urgently needed to combat it.

While noting that the current legal system provides some avenues for action, the President emphasised that the government has decided a more robust and targeted approach is necessary. He highlighted recent governmental efforts, including the 2024 amendment to the Penal Code which criminalises acts of cyber violence, such as cyber stalking.

 "Such acts have been also referred to the prosecutor after police investigation," he added.

The cornerstone of the new initiative is the dedicated anti-bullying law currently being drafted by the Attorney General's office. 

"The law will provide a great relief to bullying cases," President Muizzu stated. 

He outlined the bill's key provisions, noting that it will very clearly define acts of bullying, establish how they constitute an offense, and specify the areas where the law applies, including schools, other educational institutions, and their students and staff.

In a critical measure addressing modern challenges, a separate section will be included to specifically prevent bullying online and across various social media platforms. The proposed law will also mandate the establishment of a special policy within educational institutions to ensure regular reporting of cases and decisive action against perpetrators. This policy will also be integrated into the official curriculum, promoting awareness and prevention from a young age. The President confirmed that the bill would include a system to facilitate immediate action in reported cases.

Upon completion of consultations with relevant stakeholders, the draft legislation will be sent to the Parliament for approval, marking a significant step in the government's campaign to eradicate bullying through the force of law.