The case of suspension of Supreme Court judges has been submitted to the United Nations' Human Rights Commissioner, European Union and Commonwealth.
The cases were submitted to the international bodies by former Supreme Court Judge HusnuSuood, who resigned after being recently placed on suspension.
He appealed to the bodies to intervene in the case in efforts to uphold judicial independence in the Maldives, and to call on the government to recall the unconstitutional measures being taken against judges.
The case details the measures being taken against the judges, as well as the amendments now proposed to the Judicature Act on changing the compilation of the Supreme Court bench. Suood alleged that the government is taking these measures in a bid to bring a halt to the case on revocation of the Constitutional amendment on MPs' loss of seat which is being currently heard at the Supreme Court.
Suood noted that after hearings in the case was commenced, an amendment to the Judicature Act decreasing the number of judges on the Supreme Court bench from seven to five was rushed through parliament. He stated how the bill had been passed, and three Supreme Court judges had been placed on suspension just minutes before a hearing in the case was scheduled to start.
Suood stated how the three judges had been suspended in just a short while after the Anti Corruption Commission had launched investigations against the three judges, and notified this to the Judicial Service Commission. In addition to this, multiple disciplinary cases are also being investigated against these three judges, he said.
Suood went on to allege that through an agent, Attorney General Ahmed Usham had warned judges, including Chief Justice Ahmed Muhthasim Adnan, that disciplinary investigations will be initiated against them. He stated that there has been increased influence on the judiciary after President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took office, with those loyal to him having been appointed to the Judicial Service Commission as well.
News of the suspension of Suood, Judge Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Judge Mahaz Ali Zahir have been shared with the World Bank and IMF as well. In parliament today, several MPs also raised concerns that international financial institutions may decrease Maldives' ratings in response to the measures being taken against judges.
While Suood has resigned, the JSC is continuing investigations against Azmiralda and Mahaz.
The bill in question, although passed in a rush by parliament, was not ratified by President Muizzu and has been sent back to parliament for reconsideration. The parliament today decided to forward the bill to the Judiciary Committee for further review.