On Tuesday, the Parliament approved the Organ Transplant Bill following the inclusion of important amendments that disallow prisoners from donating organs.

The legislation was approved unanimously, receiving support from all 58 legislators present.

The law was first approved by Parliament in May and sent for presidential approval. Nonetheless, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu sent the bill back to Parliament for more examination, highlighting issues that needed further assessment.

A major concern highlighted by the President was the provision permitting prisoners and individuals in state custody to donate organs.

In his correspondence to Parliament, President Muizzu remarked that people in state detention possess restricted personal autonomy and freedom, and permitting them to donate organs—even under assertions of "full consent"—might pose difficulties in legal enforcement and in confirming that such choices were made without coercion.

After discussions by the Committee on Social Affairs, the legislation was revised to clearly indicate that organ donors cannot be inmates or persons in state custody.

Another major change concerns the penalties for unlawful organ harvesting and transplantation. Although the initial draft of the bill contained sections on Qisas (retaliation) and Diyya (blood money), these elements were eliminated during the committee examination.

According to the updated law, those convicted of these crimes will incur fines between MVR 150,000 and MVR 250,000, as well as imprisonment for a period of 12 to 18 months.

The legislation also specifies that the Act will take effect 180 days following its ratification. Moreover, an Organ Transplant Council needs to be formed within 60 days after the law becomes effective.

The legislation's approval is anticipated to enhance the legal structure overseeing human organ transplantation in the Maldives, allowing such operations to occur in line with international standards and ethical principles.