UN asks Maldives response on Supreme Court judges' suspension
Former Supreme Court Justice Hunu Suood and sitting justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir were suspended on 28 February.
The United Nations has requested the Maldivian government to respond to the suspension of three Supreme Court judges, which took place as the court was preparing to hear a constitutional case related to an amendment allowing political parties to unseat members of parliament.
Former Supreme Court Justice Hunu Suood and sitting justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir were suspended on 28 February. Shortly before the Supreme Court was scheduled to begin hearings on the constitutional amendment, Suood and Azmiralda submitted a letter to two UN bodies on behalf of the affected judges.
Suood, who lodged the complaint, told Atoll Times on Tuesday that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had requested a response from the government before 2 June.
The government has not issued an official statement on the matter to date.
Suood and Azmiralda formally submitted their complaint to the UN on 17 March. Following the suspension, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) convened a meeting to consider four behavioural cases against them. Suood has since resigned from his post.
The JSC is continuing investigations into two behavioural cases involving Mahaz and three cases involving Azmiralda. The allegations include attempts by Azmiralda and Mahaz to influence Criminal Court judges to avoid the arrest of Ismail Latgeef, an IGMH doctor and Azmiralda’s husband.
Other cases under investigation include the summoning of High Court Assistant Registrar Mohamed Haneef to the Supreme Court, and a disciplinary case against Azmiralda’s legal representative, Ibrahim Shameel, for issuing a press statement.
The JSC has concluded hearings on the allegation of influencing a remand order. The next procedural step is to prepare the final report of the investigation, which will then be shared with the judges involved for a response before the commission makes a decision.
Separately, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating a case involving alleged attempts by Azmiralda and Mahaz to influence Criminal Court judges. The ACC has taken statements from three Criminal Court judges but has not yet questioned Mahaz and Azmiralda. Details of the case have not been disclosed.
In connection with this investigation, Azmiralda filed a case against ACC President Adam Shamil, alleging undue influence over the trial. Shamil, in turn, filed a police complaint accusing Azmiralda of providing false information. However, the police did not accept the complaint.
