Government Reaffirms Commitment to Death Penalty Under Muizzu
11 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 08:10Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has reaffirmed to Parliament that implementing the death penalty remains a key policy of President Dr. Muizzu's administration. The Minister stated that the drafting of specialized legislation required for this process is proceeding at a rapid pace, confirming the government's intent to carry out executions once all judicial appeal stages have been exhausted.
Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan greets President Muizzu upon his arrival at the official ceremony held to mark the 93rd anniversary of the Maldives Police Service – June 28, 2026. | President's Office
The government has once again announced that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration intends to carry out the death penalty.
During Tuesday's Parliament sitting, Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan stated that the implementation of the death penalty is a policy of President Muizzu's administration.
President Muizzu announced during a press conference at the President's Office on March 23, 2026, that the Maldives will implement the death penalty, stating that it is not merely an optional measure.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, the President stated that as the Maldives is a hundred percent Muslim nation, the implementation of the death penalty is a requirement in accordance with Islamic Sharia. He further emphasized that the decision to enforce or withhold the sentence is not a matter of personal discretion for the Head of State.
Noting that several individuals are currently on death row in the Maldives, the President stated that efforts to draft a special law regarding the implementation of the death penalty are proceeding at a rapid pace. He further announced that the bill, currently being drafted by the Attorney General’s Office, will be submitted to the People’s Majlis in April.
"Once the bill is passed by Parliament and ratified, this administration will, God willing, carry out the death penalty for all individuals who have exhausted all legal avenues for appeal," the President said.
The President further stated that once the bill is passed by Parliament and enacted into law, the government will begin enforcing the sentence against individuals who have exhausted all stages of the judicial appeals process.
Responding to questions from members during Tuesday's sitting, Minister Ali Ihusaan stated that the government intends to implement the death penalty in accordance with its policy. Ihusaan noted that there are specific legal procedures that must be completed first, and confirmed that these processes are currently underway.
Implementing the death penalty is a policy of this administration, and we intend to carry it out. However, to do so, we must ensure the legal framework governing the execution process is fully addressed. Consequently, we are currently in the process of drafting the necessary legislation to be submitted to this honorable Parliament. On the other hand, we are also making the necessary practical preparations required for the implementation phase.
The Muizzu administration’s policy is to include drug trafficking among the offenses punishable by death. To this end, the necessary legislative amendments have already been enacted.
