Yameen calls for judicial reform, questions Supreme Court's final authority

Former President Abdulla Yameen has called for changes to the Maldives' legal and governance systems, including a review of the Supreme Court's role as the final authority in judicial matters.

Speaking at a gathering held at the office of the People's National Front (PNF) on Sunday night, Yameen said the country needs reforms to address issues within state institutions and the justice system.

He argued that laws and institutional structures should be developed based on the circumstances and experiences of individual countries rather than following models adopted elsewhere.

"What I believe now is that with these current laws, the lack of proper civic upbringing, and the absence of institutional integrity, we genuinely need systemic changes," Yameen said.

He also questioned the framework that grants the Supreme Court final authority over legal decisions.

"We need to move away from the practice of giving the Supreme Court absolute final authority. That needs to change. The way police investigations are conducted also needs to change. We need to formulate a new framework for such matters," he said.

During his remarks, Yameen raised concerns about public confidence in the judiciary and the handling of cases involving political figures.

He argued that judges are not elected by the public and questioned the level of accountability within the judicial system. He also said there should be a mechanism to challenge or review Supreme Court decisions after they have been issued.

"Therefore, the systems must change. There must be a mechanism to challenge or voice an opinion on Supreme Court decisions even after they are made," Yameen said.

The former president also criticised what he described as inconsistencies in judicial decisions and interpretations of laws.

He said he could not accept situations where convictions upheld through all levels of the court system were later overturned following changes in government.

"A person whose arrest warrant was issued by a judge colluding with the police, who was then convicted and had their appeals exhausted, suddenly becomes completely innocent just because the government changes. This is not a principle we can accept," he said.

Yameen further alleged that both the current administration and the previous administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had failed to address corruption and strengthen institutional independence.

The former president's remarks come amid wider political discussions on constitutional and governance reforms.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has also been advocating structural changes through his "Bodu Badhalu" (Big Change) campaign, which calls for reforms to the state's governance framework, including changes to the system of government.

While Yameen, Nasheed and Solih have all criticised the current administration on various issues, neither Yameen nor Solih has publicly endorsed Nasheed's proposed reform agenda in full.