The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for the immediate reinstatement of the suspended Supreme Court justices.
Earlier in February, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) suspended three Supreme Court justices - Husnu Suood, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir - just minutes before the court was set to reconvene a hearing regarding a petition challenging the state-sponsored anti-defection amendment enacted into the Constitution.
Husnu Suood resigned shortly after his suspension, while Azmiralda and Mahaz remain suspended since 26 Feburary.
In a statement, MDP said that many national and public related cases filed in the Supreme Court have come to a halt due to the suspension of these judges. The statement said that former Justice Suood's resignation shows the seriousness of the threat judiciary faces.
The party said the judges were suspended to prevent the court from quashing the anti-defection amendment and described the government's actions as a planned move to gain political control of the Supreme Court.
"This is a direct attack on the justice system," the party said.
“MDP is deeply concerned and notes that the Judicial Service Commission, which the government has full control of, has formed a special committee to unfairly investigate the false allegations against these two judges,” the statement said.
The statement alleged that the judges were not given the right to defend themselves against the charges, and claimed evidence submitted by the judges were not accepted and the opportunity for lawyers was also not given. It is a direct violation of the judges' fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and international standards, the party said.
MDP also asserted that this encroachment by the government on the independence of one of the three branches of the state is a direct threat to democracy in the country and that the actions of the government in complete violation of the principle of separation of powers will cause irreparable damage to democracy.
Having said so, the opposition party called on JSC to immediately stop the self-initiated, politically motivated cases against the Supreme Court judges, and immediately lift the suspension of the two judges and respect the independence of the judiciary.
"[The party] calls on the Judicial Service Commission and the Maldivian government to ensure the protection and rights of judges under the Constitution and laws of Maldives. [We also] call on the parliament to monitor the government and Judicial Service Commission's actions regarding the matter, and take action where necessary," the statement said.
MDP said it is everyone's responsibility to maintain democracy and ensure the independence of the judiciary. As such, the party also called on political parties, civil society organisations and international organisations to participate in the efforts to protect the independence of the judiciary.