Foreign judges will not be used to reform judiciary: Nasheed

Foreign judges will not be used to reform the judiciary, says former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Nasheed, who recently won the Central Mahchangolhi seat, said this in a special interview to state media PSM.

Nasheed said that no judge is above another in an Islamic nation and that while any Muslim judge is suitable for the purpose, the government will not be bringing in foreign judges to reform the judiciary, as the Maldivian judges are more than capable.

He said that he does not believe that the issue with the judiciary is due to a single person but that a system needs to be established that is capable of stopping individuals from committing any harm. He also said that the government is not planning to replace anyone and that he believes the judiciary should be reformed within legal procedures.

Nasheed also said that the courthouse does not have the authority to make laws and that all three branches of government should be capable of accepting appeals.

He emphasized the importance of checking the credentials of judges, removing the judicial administration, improving the bar association and giving it more legal authority.

He vowed that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will fulfill its obligation to reform the judiciary.