UN seeks gov’t response to case of SC proceedings being halted
As the Supreme Court stands now, constitutional cases can only be heard by a bench comprising all the court's justices
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has instructed the government of Maldives to respond to the case submitted regarding the government intimidating Supreme Court judges and halting court proceedings.
RaajjeMV understands that the government has been instructed to respond to the case before June 2. RaajjeMV has also learned from a reliable source that the instruction was communicated to the government by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on April 2.
The station’s attempts to attain a comment from the government on the matter have been unsuccessful so far. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, Attorney General Ahmed Usham, and other relevant authorities have failed to provide any comments when questioned about the issue.
The case was submitted to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on March 17.
The case was filed by former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood, who resigned. Suood resigned citing intimidation and influence exerted on Supreme Court judges by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Attorney General Ahmed Usham.
Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, Husnu Al Suood, and Mahaz Ali Zahir were suspended while they were in the courtroom after scheduling a hearing for a case requesting a temporary order regarding the dismissal of lawmakers for floor crossing. The three judges were suspended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) after holding an emergency meeting and making a decision within 10 minutes on 26 February 2025.
On March 4, Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood resigned, stating that President Muizzu had violated the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives. Currently, JSC is investigating cases linked to Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir.
As the Supreme Court stands now, constitutional cases can only be heard by a bench comprising all the court's justices. That is a bench of seven justices. After Husnu Al Suood's resignation, Hussain Shaheed was appointed to replace him shortly after. This means that there are currently five justices on the Supreme Court bench.
