Husnu Al Suood says death penalty for drug traffickers is not the right approach

The Maldives has introduced the death penalty for drug trafficking, a major shift in its criminal justice policy, but former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood says it’s not the right move.  

The Drugs Act amendment, passed by Parliament on Wednesday and ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday, makes it punishable by death to import more than 500 grams of drugs listed in Schedule One of the law.  

On Thursday, Suood wrote on X:  

“The Maldives Parliament has passed a new law introducing the death sentence for drug trafficking, a major policy shift aimed at tackling narcotics in the country. Don’t believe this is the right approach.”  

“P.S. Corruption is an equal menace.”  

Suood did not elaborate further on his concerns.  

The bill was introduced by Gan MP Yusuf Nasheed on December 1, 2024, and outlines three categories:  

• Schedule One: Prohibited drugs and their derivatives  

• Schedule Two: Medicinal drugs and their derivatives  

• Schedule Three: Devices, chemicals, and materials used to manufacture drugs  

Previously, the maximum penalty for drug trafficking under the Narcotics Act was life imprisonment or a fine between MVR 100,000 and MVR 10 million.  

The amendment aims to:  

• Strengthen law enforcement powers  

• Curb drug trafficking, possession, and use  

• Enhance rehabilitation systems for addicts  

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan wrote on Thursday that there would be “no mercy or exception” for drug traffickers.  

While the amendment has passed, several political figures have raised concerns about the death penalty in Maldives, including former President Abdulla Yameen and former Home Minister Umar Naseer.