President Dr Mohammed Muizzu has said that efforts are underway as per his Presidential pledge, to ensure judiciary is reformed to restore public trust in the judiciary. The President made these remarks whilst delivering the Presidential Address at today's opening session of the People's Majlis for 2025.
In this regard, the president highlighted reforming the criminal justice system as an essential priority to regain public trust in the judiciary. He added that reformative actions would deter people who confess to minor crims from re-committing them. The President added that the Government would take all necessary measures to empower the judicial system by providing specialised trainings to investigating police personnel, public prosecutors and defence personnel.
He said that the Department of Judicial Administration, a key entity responsible for the administration of justice in the Maldives, would be reformed to increase public confidence in the judiciary. This reform is expected to streamline judicial processes and enhance the overall efficiency of the judiciary. Additionally, special courts would be introduced through the legal system, God willing, to resolve cases expeditiously in individual areas.
Pointing out that most of the criminal cases filed in free democratic societies are resolved with the help of the pretrial advice agreement and confessional agreement, he said that no matter how many courtrooms are built and the number of judges is multiplied, the criminal justice system, which does not run the two systems properly, is not able to find an adequate solution. Therefore, the Government plans to take the initiative to strengthen the pretrial advice and concession agreements system and make it widely accessible with the people's confidence, he said.
Noting that establishing a Public Defenders Office to provide legal assistance in criminal cases will strengthen the criminal justice system, the President said that a special bill on establishing a Public Defenders Office will be submitted to Parliament this year along with its establishment.
He acknowledged that delays in hearings and the prolongation of cases without reaching a verdict are significant challenges facing the criminal justice system in the Maldives. He assured the public that the construction of the Superior Court Complex in Hulhumale, scheduled to start this year, will alleviate the courts' space constraints and expedite the resolution of cases.
President Dr Muizzu pointed out that a building with space for criminal and drug courts was needed even at the time of completion, and he said relocating the two courts into spacious buildings was progressing quickly.
In his address, the President also informed the public about the introduction of 35 bills, of which 30 have been passed in parliament, to improve the country's situation during the past year. He also outlined some of the bills that will be introduced in the Parliament this year, providing the audience with a comprehensive understanding of the upcoming legislative changes.
In this regard, the President also outlined some of the bills that will be introduced in the Parliament this year. Some of the key amendments he intends to make to the Constitution include changing the composition of the JSC, holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously and asking for a referendum to amend the Constitution to start the presidential term on November 11th, along with the reform of the number of members of the Parliament. He also said that the Government intends to introduce a bill on the rules for conducting a general referendum in parliament during the first session of this year.
The President also said the Government has decided to introduce a new bill on land and real estate business and a bill on housing to address the housing problem faced by the people.
He also said that the Maldives International Financial Services Authority Bill will be introduced in the parliament during the current session. This bill aims to establish a regulatory framework for international financial services in the Maldives, which is expected to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth. The introduction of this bill reflects the government's commitment to creating a conducive environment for international financial services in the Maldives.