President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said he accepts the principles of democracy even after the ruling party lawmakers dismissed two Supreme Court justices based on an unlawful investigation conducted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir were dismissed by the government-controlled parliament on Wednesday after denying them the right to defend themselves.
They were dismissed based on a report sent to the parliament after an abrupt and unlawful inquiry conducted by the JSC. They were not allowed to defend themselves during the JSC proceedings and the parliament's Judiciary Committee meetings.
Earlier on Tuesday, the parliament's Counsel General Fathimath Filza also said the investigation was unlawful and due process was not followed.
Speaking on his weekly podcast, Muizzu said he fully believes in the principles of democracy.
“As we work to implement these principles of democracy in the Maldives, I fully believe in the principles of democracy and the empowerment of the people,” he said.
One of the most important pillars of a democratic system is the separation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches. However, there are concerns about the separation of powers after the dismissal of justices on Wednesday.
Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Ahmed Azaan, who abstained from the vote, said the executive branch is interfering in the courts and influencing the judiciary.
"In every government since the [Green] Constitution, we have seen the judiciary being influenced and the courts being influenced. The same scenario is being seen then and now," Azaan said.
Azaan also said that justice in the Maldives can only be obtained when it is offered by the ruling party.
"Justice is not available to the poor in this country. It has become something that can only be obtained when it is given by the ruling party," he added.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has also said that the Supreme Court judges were removed in order for Muizzu to control the judiciary.
"With the removal of these two judges, President Muizzu has now seized control of the Maldivian judiciary, having shattered the hard-fought separation of power enshrined in our constitution," the party said in a statement.
Opposition the Democrats' President Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi) said the Maldives does not have a separation of powers despite it being a fundamental principle of the new constitution.
"There is a separation of powers in the book, but that is not the system that is working now. Because of what they have done to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is now expected to be the rubber stamp of the government. The parliament already works as a rubber stamp of the government. Independent institutions will follow this in the coming days too," he warned.
