Attorney General Ahmed Usham has stated that the government is working hard to address delays in criminal trial hearings under the criminal justice system. He made the remarks at Unlocking Justice, a meeting organised as a collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office and the British High Commission.
The meeting, held at Kurumba Resort, presented the findings of a study conducted to identify systematic problems within the criminal justice system. The meeting was attended by Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef and representatives of other key judicial representatives.
Speaking at the event, Attorney General Ahmed Usham noted that establishing justice and ensuring equal access to justice for all is a priority for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The Attorney General also raised concerns regarding the criminal justice system, particularly delays in the completion of cases. Therefore, the government is working to resolve the issues by bringing necessary legal changes, he said.
"Reasons for the increase [in such delays] include lack of proper legal framework and adequate resources. To address these issues, a more effective bail system has been integrated into the Criminal Procedure Code in line with the President's pledge. Moreover, more resources are being provided to courts. These measures will ensure that court process can proceed without delay,” the Attorney General said.
During the meeting, British Ambassador Nick Low noted that the Maldivian government is making important efforts to strengthen the justice system. He welcomed initiatives to strengthen the system outlined President Muizzu’s recent presidential address. He also noted that the recommendations made based on the findings of the study would benefit the system if property implemented. It would also increase public confidence in the system and serve as an important tool against organised crime, he stated.
Panel discussions were also held during the meeting, focusing on inter-agency collaboration for the reform of the justice system and the digitalization of the system. The Attorney General's Office expressed confidence that the study will bring about positive changes to the Maldives’ criminal justice system.