Non-Muslims to be denied Maldivian citizenship under new Constitution

Non Muslims are to be denied Maldivian citizenship in the new Constitution, after 78 members of the Peoples Special Majlis (Constitutional Assembly) voted on 19 November 2007 in favor to approve an amendment that requires all Maldivian citizens to be Muslims.  Prominent Maldivian lawyers have expressed concern following the passage of the clause in the new Constitution stating fears that the prerequisite to be a Muslim for Maldivian citizenship would create complications. Lawyers predicted that the new clause would deprive a number of current citizens of Maldivian citizenship, resulting in some Maldivians becoming stateless after the proclamation of the new Constitution.

“Under the existing Constitution, every child born to a Maldivian mother or father is a Maldivian citizen. But we know there are non-Muslims among them. There are such children living in Australia and Europe. They have Maldivian passports. Under the existing Constitution, it is possible for a foreigner of another faith to become a Maldivian citizen. Therefore, with the passage of this clause, a lot of Maldivians will be stripped of citizenship the day the new Constitution comes into effect,” Member for Seenu Atoll and prominent lawyer Mr. Husnu al Suood, told reporters on 19 November 2007. Other lawyers have noted that Islam allowed Muslim men to marry Jewish and Christian women and that the new clause would suppress the rights of such spouses.

While no members voted against the motion, member for Male’ Mr. Ahmed Athif and Haa Alif Atoll member Mr. Ahmed Muizz, who is also a prominent lawyer, abstained from the vote for the record. Mr. Husnu al Suood, who was in the hall at the time, did not participate in the voting.