MDP slams unlawful dismissal of SC judges
The two Supreme Court judges have been dismissed despite calls from the Bar Council of the Maldives, the United Nations, and several international organizations advising against it
Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir (L) and Mahaz Ali Zahir (R)
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the unlawful dismissal of Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir from their positions on the Supreme Court bench in violation of the country’s laws.
During the vote taken on the People’s Majlis floor to dismiss the two judges, 68 parliamentarians voted in favor of dismissing Azmiralda and Mahaz, while only 11 members voted against it. As a result, both individuals have been removed from their positions as Supreme Court judges.
In a statement condemning the action, MDP stressed that the dismissal of the two Supreme Court judges is an unconstitutional and illegal act carried out to bring the judiciary under the full control of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The statement also reads that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which operates under President Muizzu's influence, carried out the dismissal process in violation of established procedures and laws.
In addition to this, The Democrats has also issued a statement condemning the action. The party described this as an act of destroying the Maldives' democracy by concentrating the three separate branches of government into one power.
Both parties have stated that the dismissal of judges is a matter that will erode trust in the Maldivian judiciary and cause great harm to the country.
The dismissal of Azmiralda and Mahaz was passed based on a report sent to the People's Majlis following a sudden illegal investigation initiated by JSC.
The Parliament's Counsel General, Fathimath Filza, has also stated that the investigation against the judges did not follow the procedures stipulated by law. In her advice following the approval of the JSC investigation report, Filza highlighted the illegal aspects of the investigation.
The two Supreme Court judges have been dismissed despite calls from the Bar Council of the Maldives, the United Nations, and several international organizations advising against it.
In addition to Judges Azmiralda and Mahaz, JSC also decided to investigate a case involving former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood. However, as soon as the investigation began, Suood resigned from his position. He stated that he resigned in protest of the president and Attorney General Ahmed Usham intimidating judges.
