HRCM raises concerns over dismissal of Supreme Court judges

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has raised concerns over the manner in which Supreme Court Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir were dismissed.

HRCM issued a statement on Tuesday after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)'s report recommending the dismissal of the two justices was passed by the Judiciary Committee of the People’s Majlis, and sent to the floor.

In the press release, HRCM stated that JSC's decision is an obstacle to proceeding with the case submitted to the Supreme Court regarding the constitutional amendment that gives political parties the power to expel parliamentarians for floor crossing. HRCM also expressed concern about how the parliamentary committee handled JSC's decision.

Further, the commission highlighted that the independence of the judiciary is explicitly called for in the country's laws and international treaties to which the Maldives is a party.

HRCM's statement detailed significant flaws in JSC's investigation of the two justices, while also noting concerns raised by the justices' lawyers, Maldivian lawyers, legal experts, as well as international organizations and institutions.

The statement also highlighted that the proposed Fifth Amendment to the Courts Act, which aims to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices from seven to five, is contrary to Article 154 of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, and violates legal and constitutional principles. The statement went on to read that these concerns have been shared with the President's Office as well.

HRCM has called on all state institutions to respect the constitutional and democratic principles of the Maldives, uphold the rule of law, respect the separation of powers in the Maldivian state, and ensure international obligations are met.