Supreme Court urged to lift mass suspension of lawyers
“None of the 56 lawyers has been allowed to exercise their right to defend themselves or be heard before a disciplinary action,” noted the International Commission of Jurists, Transparency International, Forum Asia, and Frontline Defenders together with local NGO Maldivian Democracy Network.
16 Sep 2017, 9:00 AM
A group of international NGOs have called on the Supreme Court to lift the suspension of more than 50 lawyers who signed a petition calling for judicial reform, criticising the lack of due process before the unprecedented move.
“None of the 56 lawyers has been allowed to exercise their right to defend themselves or be heard before a disciplinary action,” reads a joint statement from the International Commission of Jurists, Transparency International, Forum Asia, and Frontline Defenders together with local NGO Maldivian Democracy Network.
“Furthermore, it is clear that all 56 lawyers have been penalised before an apparent investigation was conducted over allegations.”
The suspension of nearly one-third of practising lawyers in the Maldives was “procedurally and substantively, incompatible with international law and standards,” it added.
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