In a recent disclosure, Attorney General Ahmed Usham highlighted a significant shift towards judicial independence under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, contrasting it with the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government’s tenure.
Attorney General Usham, in a post on ‘X’, detailed the disciplinary actions taken against judges from 2018 to 2023 during the MDP administration. He emphasized that the current government has maintained a hands-off approach, ensuring the judiciary operates without undue influence.
2019 ވަނަ އަހަރުން ފެށިގެން މިއަދާ ހަމައަށް JSC އިން ފަނޑިޔާރުންނާމެދު އަޅާފައިވާ ފިޔަވަޅުތަަކަށް ބަލާއިރު ފަނޑިޔާރުގެއަށް އެންމެ ބޮޑަށް ނުފޫޒު ފޯރުވާފައިވަނީ ކޮން ދުވަސްވަރެއްގައިކަން ވަރަށް ސާފު. ޝަރީއަތުގެ މަޖިލީހުގައި ފަނޑިޔާރުން ދައްކާ ވާހަކައަކާ ގުޅިގެން ނުވަތަ ނިންމާ… pic.twitter.com/1TjDOJz2c3
— Ahmed Usham (@a_usham) March 7, 2025
The statistics presented by Usham are telling: during the MDP’s rule, eight judges were dismissed, twelve suspended, and three demoted. In stark contrast, since President Muizzu assumed office in November 2023, no judges have faced dismissal, suspension, or demotion. Furthermore, while 33 judges were found guilty of ethical misconduct during the previous administration, only two such cases have arisen under the current leadership.
This commitment to judicial autonomy aligns with President Muizzu’s earlier statements. In November 2024, he firmly stated that any political appointee found interfering with the judiciary would be promptly removed from their position, underscoring his dedication to preserving the separation of powers.
The positive impact of this approach is evident. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) reported a 42% decrease in complaints against judges and magistrates in 2024 compared to the previous year, indicating growing public trust in the judiciary’s independence and integrity.
Attorney General Usham also noted that the practice of labeling judges’ statements or decisions in court as “ethical misconduct” ceased from November 2023, marking a departure from previous practices that may have undermined judicial confidence.
These developments signal a new era in the Maldives, where the judiciary functions free from political interference, reflecting President Muizzu’s unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.
