Azmiralda files UN complaint over suspension of judges
Suood has also filed a separate complaint with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Supreme Court Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir has also filed a complaint with the United Nations (UN) regarding the suspension of three judges while the full bench of the Supreme Court was hearing a constitutional case.
The judges were suspended on 26 February, just before a scheduled hearing on an interim order seeking to halt the implementation of a constitutional amendment. The amendment in question would result in the loss of parliamentary seats for members expelled from their political parties.
The suspended judges are:
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Husnu Suood (resigned as a judge on 4 March)
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Azmiralda Zahir
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Mahaz Ali Zahir
Azmiralda filed her complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. Suood filed a separate complaint with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Azmiralda’s lawyer, Ibrahim Shameel, stated that information regarding the complaint had been shared with embassies and high commissions of several countries. Suood has also submitted information to various 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
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is investigating separate cases involving Azmiralda and Mahaz. These include:
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Allegations that Azmiralda influenced some Criminal Court judges to prevent the arrest of her husband, Dr Ismail Latheef of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH)
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An incident involving High Court Assistant Registrar Hussain Mohammed Hanif, who was allegedly confronted by Azmiralda and Mahaz at a location where Suood was also accused of misconduct.
Suood's complaint to the UN outlines concerns regarding ethical issues, an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation, and the suspension of the judges. The complaint includes:
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A request for an interim order to prevent the enforcement of the constitutional amendment pending the Supreme Court’s ruling.
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A notice for the interim order hearing being served at 9:00 pm on 25 February, with the hearing scheduled for 11:00 am the next day.
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A complaint against the three judges being filed with the ACC by an unidentified private individual around 1:00 am on 26 February.
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ACC President Adam Shamil sending a letter to the JSC at 10:00 am on 26 February.
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The JSC calling an emergency meeting at 10:30 am, during which the judges were suspended as they prepared to begin the hearing.
