International law has suddenly become visible only when there is a need to justify an action: Mauroof

International law has suddenly become visible only when there is a need to justify an action, stated Al-Ustadh Ahmed Mauroof, a member of the MDP's legal committee.

Mauroof made these remarks in response to a social media post by Attorney General Ahmed Usham. The Attorney General was defending a government-proposed bill to amend the Penal Code, which seeks to impose severe penalties for the crime of genocide. Critics argue the bill is designed to suppress opposition to the Ras Male' project and contains clauses that could be interpreted to prohibit public demonstrations against Zionist actions.

In this regard, Usham stated that the government-proposed amendment to the Maldives Penal Code seeks to criminalize genocide and define its penalties in accordance with the Genocide Convention. He further noted that this legislative change is a mandatory obligation for the Maldives under international law.

Responding to Usham, Mauroof stated that there must be a specific reason for pursuing this matter now, especially when numerous obligations mandated under international law remain unfulfilled.

Furthermore, noting that the right to a fair trial is a state obligation under international law, Mauroof pointed out that "international law" was deemed irrelevant when the Supreme Court justices were removed from their positions.

Mauroof stated that international law has suddenly become convenient only when there is a need to justify a particular action.