Supreme Court barred judges from penal code trainings

The Supreme Court barred judges and magistrates from attending trainings on the new penal code, Minivan News has learned.

The penal code was ratified a year ago and was set to come into force this month, but the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives has delayed its enactment by three months.

According to judges and lawyers, the Supreme Court denied permission for judges and magistrates to attend trainings conducted by the attorney general’s office and UNDP at a special legal sector resource center, which was set up last year to train law enforcement agencies, judges, lawyers and journalists on the new penal code.

“The penal code is a large, extensive document with criminal proceedings that is new to the Maldives. I wanted to attend but the Supreme Court wouldn’t give us permission,” a judge who wanted to remain anonymous said.