United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the British High Commission in the Maldives has gifted the Department of Judicial Administration with Digital Equipment to be utilized by the Magistrate courts, in order to perform judicial services and bridge the gap between the justice system and communities.

According to a press release, the ICT assets were handed over to the department on Wednesday.

The press release notes that since the unexpected arrival of the pandemic, UNDP had arranged digitalization equipment to the Apex courts in Male’ and main justice sector stakeholders which includes the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office. Between September 2020 and December 2020, more than 11,000 hearings were held by the Judiciary with the new technological solutions provided.

The department said that the new assets will assist the magistrate courts to significantly multiply the number of court hearings for last year, and continue providing judicial services to remote communities despite the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

UNDP’s Resident Representative Vera Hakim, who handed over the assets to the Judiciary at Wednesdays' ceremony stated that the UNDP was proud to support the efforts of the judiciary in attempting to make sure that the justice system is responsive towards the rights and needs of all citizens during a difficult time.

She added that this "a vital step" needed to be taken in order to gain the public’s trust in the judiciary and justice sector as a whole.

The ICT assets gifted to the Magistrate Court today was only possible because of the unconditional support of the British High Commission through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Programme in the Maldives. In the press release, UNDP also gave thanks to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for being a pillar during the development of the Maldives and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).