9 associations call for death penalty to not be implemented

Nine international associations have called for the death penalty to not be implemented in Maldives. The island nation has been teetering on this decision, whether the death penalty is a suitable punishment for drug traffickers.

A statement against the death penalty was released from international organizations calling for the death penalty to not be implemented. Similar statements have been issued in the past as well when governments in Maldives considered implementing capital punishment.

Nine organizations, one of which is Amnesty International, released a statement which said that the implementation of the death penalty for the crime of drug trafficking would lead to the violation of various international laws and standards, while also going against the trend of Maldives' neighbors and on an international scale as well.

The now-dissolved association Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) is also one of the associations that have called for the death penalty to not be implemented. MDN is currently operating overseas after being dissolved in Maldives on 5th November 2019 due to pressure on the government at the time claiming MDN had released a statement disrespecting Islam.

"113 countries are now fully abolitionist; and several retentionist countries specifically ending the use of the death penalty for drug trafficking. There is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty has a unique deterrent effect on crime," the statement reads.

The statement also calls for the stoppage of amendments that are underway to implement the death penalty. It also urges Parliament members to not accept efforts to implement death penalty.

"We urge the Government to desist from pursuing these amendments, as well as the Members of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives to reject any attempts to expand the scope of this cruel punishment. We further call on the authorities of the Maldives to take prompt steps to abolish this cruel punishment once and for all and commute all existing death sentences as a matter of urgency," as per the statement.

The statement goes on to say that the implementation of the death penalty as a punishment for drug trafficking for the sake of society's sake is the same as promoting the principles of countries with strong extremist policies and that it will promote a culture that tramples on human rights.

"Effective drug control policies must be centered around health and rights, addressing the root causes that lead people to engage in the drug market, including poverty, unemployment and marginalization," as per the statement.

The associations went on to say that introducing the death penalty for the crime of drug trafficking is a move that would lead to further violations, of which Maldives has an "alarming human rights record, including in connection to its use of the death penalty."

The government had sent the provisions that need to be made to drug trafficking laws to Parliament late last year, with it currently being at the debate committee.

Nevertheless, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu recently announced his intention to have the death penalty implemented for the crimes of drug trafficking. President Muizzu has asked for the relevant committees to research and debate on the matter of amendments being brought to drug-related laws.

The Police, PG Office and various state organizations have sent their comments to Parliament concerning the bill.

In a media briefing held on 20th December 2023, a month after President Muizzu took office, Home Minister Ali Ihusan answered a question posed by Mihaaru News, stating that the current administration will implement the death penalty within its term, and that the decision to implement it was finalized by the government, with that being the first time it was publicly announced.

Singapore still implements the death penalty for drug trafficking. If Maldives were to implement it as well, it will be the second country in South Asia to do so. Even though Sri Lanka has the death penalty for drug trafficking in its laws, they have an unofficial moratorium on its implementation.