Suood files UN complaint over judicial suspensions
Suood also raised concerns that the composition of the JSC, which includes political figures.
Former Supreme Court Judge Husnu Suood has filed a complaint with the United Nations over the suspension of three Supreme Court judges while they were presiding over a constitutional case.
Suood, who resigned as a suspended judge on 4 March, submitted his complaint to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He also shared information regarding the case with several international organisations, including:
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The European Union (EU) Delegation to the Maldives
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The Commonwealth
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
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The World Bank
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The Asian Development Bank
In his complaint, Suood called on the UN to take immediate action to ensure judicial independence in the Maldives.
Suood stated that the cases against him, Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Justice Azmiralda Zahir were initiated to influence an ongoing constitutional matter. He outlined the sequence of events leading up to their suspension:
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The Supreme Court was considering an interim order to suspend new provisions regarding the loss of parliamentary seats.
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Notice of the hearing for the interim order was issued at 9 pm on 25 February, with the hearing scheduled for 11 am the following day.
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At around 1 am, an anonymous private individual filed a case against the three judges with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
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By 10 am on 26 February, ACC President Adam Shamil had sent a letter to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) regarding the case.
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The JSC convened an emergency meeting at 10:30 am and suspended the judges as they were preparing to proceed with the hearing.
Suood also raised concerns that the composition of the JSC, which includes political figures, allows the government to exert influence over judicial proceedings.
