Petition from lawyers for judicial reform

We, lawyers, are signing this petition because we are concerned about the situation of justice in
the Maldives. We, therefore, call upon the relevant state authorities to address the concerns
outlined herein.

A majority of the Maldivian citizens are of the belief that since the time the 2008 Constitution came into force, the courts have hesitated to defend the Constitution, have imposed sanctions beyond the mandate granted to the courts under the Constitution, taken a step away from justice by succumbing to political interest in place of the law and thereby acting in a manner that contradicts with the Constitution.

These matters cannot be justified. The Courts and the Judicial Service Commission have taken no initiative to defend judges against the allegations of corruption against them made by the public. There has been no internal change within the judiciary to build up the confidence of the public in the judiciary. Nothing has been done about unjustified procedures imposed by certain judges in conducting trials. Such matters are encouraging people in an adverse manner.