Maldives has presented an intervention on justice and legal sector reform at the Review of Maldives session in the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review.
The country’s Attorney General (AG) Ibrahim Riffath presented the intervention during the 26th session of the UPR Working Group held on Wednesday evening.
The Maldives delegation that joined the event comprised of the AG, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Aishath Mohamed Didi, Minister of Home Affairs Sheikh Imran Abdulla and Minister of Economic Development, Fayyaz Ismail alongside the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Asim Ahmed and senior officials of the President’s Office, Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While delivering the intervention, AG Riffath noted that the “unique” process of UPR is based on two crucial facets of every democratic society which are the rule of law and human rights.
Stressing that these words are meaningless without an independent and accessible justice system, the AG noted that Maldives has been “yearning” for a just and competent judiciary for decades.
Further, he highlighted that the incumbent administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has “not wavered” in delivering the promise of a judiciary that the people truly desire.
In 2019, the Government formulated its judicial reform proposals. A feasibility assessment was carried out in May 2019, which revealed the areas that required urgent attention within the Judiciary. The Government’s 5-year Strategic Action Plan covered the areas identified and dedicated a sub-sector for Rule of Law and Judicial Reform”Ibrahim Riffath, Maldives Attorney General
Based on three areas, the judicial reform plan aims to reform court structure and jurisdiction, enhancing administration and accountability as well as the integrity of judges.
Highlighting that adherence to the open court principle is one of the “defining” characteristics of an impartial court, Riffath stated that the Supreme Court and High Court of Maldives currently broadcast all hearings.
Another important priority of the judicial reform plan of the Maldivian government is to achieve gender parity in the judiciary, said Riffath, who added that the current administration appointed female judges to the court system, for the first time in the country’s history.
Riffath went on to note that an inclusive five-year legislative agenda was formulated when the incumbent administration came into power, having identified over 200 bills, 76 of which have since been submitted at the People’s Majlis, with the intention of further enhancing the legal system and complying with international obligations of the state.
The legislative agenda has not been hindered at all despite the country being locked in a fierce battle with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Whilst we have made great strides in justice sector reforms over the past two years, much work remains to be done. The Government is committed to successfully executing the Judicial Reform Plan and the Legislative Agenda. We look forward to implementing the recommendations we receive from this process. We remain steadfast in our efforts to move ahead and we must change to stay ahead”Ibrahim Riffath, Maldives Attorney General
