No democracy without justice, claims Reeko Moosa
03 Aug 2010, 7:02 PM
Ahmed Nazeer
Police have the right to prevent any act violating the constitution, claimed Parliamentary group leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Moosa ‘Reeko’ Manik, following a police blockade of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) yesterday morning.
The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) yesterday expressed concern over the police action against the JSC, following criticism of the commission’s intention to rush through the reappointment of 160 judges before the Constitutional deadline of August 7.
Speaking to an MDP rally today, Moosa declared that “if there is no justice, there is no need of democracy.’’
“The Constitution compels the executive to uphold the constitution, so police can stop any action that violates the constitution and can enter any place where such an action is going on,’’ he claimed.
”MDP’s parliamentary group is ready to pass the bill on judges and we have informed the [opposition] Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and the speaker of the parliament,” he added.
Police cordoned the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) on Monday morning, preventing its staff from working or entering the building, while the President’s Office summoned members of the judicial oversight body for questioning at an 11am meeting.
A statement from the Maldives Police Service (MPS) said the office was closed by police at the request of President Mohamed Nasheed, to prevent “unlawful and unconstitutional work from taking place.” Nasheed reportedly asked police to stand down following the meeting.