MDP urges to end intimidation and influence on Supreme Court judges in constitutional case
Maintaining democracy and ensuring the independence of the judiciary in the Maldives is not just the responsibility of one particular party
As part of the "Fudhijje-Fundijje" rally held by MDP
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for an end to the president's intimidation of all Supreme Court judges and attempts to influence the decision on a constitutional case submitted to the court.
In a statement, the main opposition party said that as former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is exerting influence in the constitutional case submitted to the court in a specific way by intimidating all Supreme Court judges, the MDP has called on all state institutions to investigate this matter and do everything possible to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
The statement noted that after the Supreme Court decided it has jurisdiction to hear the case seeking to nullify the amendment brought to Article 73 of the Constitution by the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution Act, the government is now investigating the judges through the fully government-controlled Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). It highlighted as a matter of great concern that the government is exerting influence to decide the case as they wish without any basis.
In addition to this, it stated that the People’s Majlis passed a bill to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges also on President Muizzu's orders to exert influence to decide the case as the government wishes.
MDP said that while President Muizzu may be confident these matters won't be investigated due to his current power and authority, it is a reminder that the Maldivian people will investigate and severely punish the attacks he is leading to destroy the entire constitutional system of the country. The Constitution states in Article 141 that it is against the Constitution for any individual, whether a private citizen or someone in charge of running state affairs, to interfere with and influence the work of judges.
Highlighting that maintaining democracy and ensuring the independence of the judiciary in the Maldives is not just the responsibility of one particular party, MDP said that it is the responsibility of all Maldivian citizens.
Therefore, MDP has called on all state institutions to ensure the independence of the judiciary as stipulated in the Constitution of the Maldives. MDP has also called on all beloved citizens of the country to stand up against and continuously protest the unconstitutional and illegal actions being carried out by the ruling party to consolidate all three powers of the state in the hands of the president.
