MNP's Nazim backs death penalty for drug traffickers

Maldives National Party (MNP) president Mohamed Nazim said on Saturday that those who smuggle drugs into the Maldives should be given the death penalty.

He was speaking at the fourth session of the 'Nazim Say What?' programme organised by MNP, on how to tackle the growing drug problem in the country.

"From a business point of view, if there is a desire or demand for something, then the supply [of drugs] will enter. So, as long as we don't close the gates where supply enters, we will not be able to stop this," Dhangethi MP Nazim said at a forum on Clubhouse app.

Nazim, who has also served as defence minister under former presidents Dr Mohamed Waheed and Abdulla Yameen, believes that the entry of drugs into the Maldives can only be stopped by severely punishing drug traffickers.

"I, myself, believe that those who do such things [drug traffickers] should be given the death penalty," Nazim said.

He said drug traffickers should feel the fear of the death penalty and that the rights of the community should be considered instead of the rights of one person.

"I believe the only solution to stop this demand and supply is the Singapore model."

Since 1975, Singapore has executed those convicted of smuggling drugs.

There have been allegations from various quarters that Singapore is giving drug traffickers punishments that do not match the crime. Human rights groups and the United Nations have called for an end to the death penalty, saying it does not adequately address the drug problem.

While the presidential hopeful believes that drug traffickers should be given the death penalty, he said it would be included in the MNP manifesto only after seeking public opinion.

Nazim said the model of rehabilitation and repatriation of drug addicts has also failed. He said that under an MNP government, the practice of treating addicts will be completely changed and a separate island will be developed specifically for the purpose in a business model.