Former President Abdulla Yameen stated last night that amendments to the system need to be brought regarding the Supreme Court having the final say.
At a People’s National Front (PNF) rally, Abdulla Yameen said that while the Maldives has laws in place, the system requires change due to issues such as a lack of proper upbringing and moral character. He also stated that one proposed change should be ending the Supreme Court’s role as the final authority in judicial decisions, as is the case in some other countries.
Yameen went on to say that the system needs to see an amendment where the process of police investigations are to be changed as well, but that the Constitution that came into force in 2008 was experienced bitterly.
Yameen has heavily criticized the Supreme Court's actions in various matters.
"And so, systems need to see an amendment. There should be a way to appeal the Supreme Court's rulings and beyond as well," said Yameen after mocking some of the regulations being followed at the Supreme Court.
While Yameen had ridiculed the Supreme Court, the court had scheduled a trial regarding the Aarah case against Yameen.
Yameen criticized the Supreme Court in instances where one judge would offer their opinion and then the rest of the judges would at times support their opinion.
"A judge has to be able to state their opinion before a sentence is carried out in the Supreme Court, no? They are saying, 'Adam Mohamed, what do you say?' 'I support it'. And then, 'Azmiralda, what do you say?' 'I support it'. Is this how judges should do their work?" said Yameen.
According to Yameen, every judge individually stating their opinion on a case is something that should not necessarily be done.
“They are not in allegiance in some club,” Yameen stated.
While speaking to empower his statement that there would be no issue in amending the system, Yameen said that Maldives does not have to follow other countries as an example and that Maldives can bring about changes from their own experience.
"Laws across the world will not be the same. It needs to be done based on experience," Yameen added.
While stating his opinion about various matters regarding the judicial system, Yameen's biggest criticism was aimed at how judges are appointed to courts. Yameen alleges that some judges reached the Supreme Court because "of something they had done."
