The President stated that with the establishment of this office, defense lawyers will be provided to those who cannot afford to hire their own in criminal cases.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said today that an office of public defenders, under the name 'Public Defenders Office', will be established.
During his Presidential Address to Parliament, President Muizzu emphasized the importance of increasing the availability of legal aid in criminal cases to strengthen the criminal justice system.
He said that in advanced independent democracies, there exists an office of public defenders, the Public Defenders Office, and that this model could be adopted to improve the legal system here.
The President stated that with the establishment of this office, defense lawyers will be provided to those who cannot afford to hire their own in criminal cases.
He said that the system should ensure that everyone accused in criminal cases has access to legal representation.
“If a public defenders office is established and lawyers are appointed to provide legal assistance in criminal cases, the criminal justice system will be strengthened,” President Muizzu said.
“Therefore, I intend to submit a special bill on the establishment of a Public Defenders Office to Parliament this year," he said.
Currently, the state provides lawyers for those unable to afford their own legal representation through the Attorney General's Office.
President Muizzu said that the government would prioritize making the judiciary a trusted institution.
"Efforts to bring about necessary changes in laws to make the judiciary more reliable and trusted by the people have already begun," he said.
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