The government has failed to fulfill the pledge to appeal, within the first 100 days, a judgment by the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) that caused the loss of territorial waters in the south of the Maldives.
A plan unveiled by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on November 15 stated that the judgment would be appealed within the first 100 days of his government.
In a statement issued today, the Attorney General's office highlighted challenges in appealing the ITLOS decision and blamed the former government for acting irresponsibly.
According to the statement, the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which was referred to during the ITLOS decision, is not binding under international law.
“This office is taking the necessary steps under relevant international law to reverse the decision of ITLOS and to recover the lost territorial waters,” the statement read.
The statement further said that matters related to the case will be referred to the Cabinet and decisions by the Cabinet will be revealed later.
While the government claims that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice is not binding under international law, ITLOS made a decision on the issue during the preliminary stages of the trial.
The former government argued that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice is not binding under international law until the ITLOS decision on the issue.
