Maldives needs to resolve issues in judiciary to implement Islamic Sharia: Dr Luthfee

Maldivian Democratic Party’s vice presidential candidate Dr Musthafa Luthfee has said that the Maldives needs to resolves issues judiciary in order implement Islamic Sharia.

Dr Luthfee made the statement while speaking on the vice presidential debate show hosted by TVM and MNU on Monday. He said that Maldives being an Islamic State, the country’s laws dictate that country implement proper Sharia Law.

“Maldives is an Islamic country. So the country’s laws stipulate that Islamic Sharia be implemented. The question is, why is it not being carried out? We believe the major problems exist in the Maldives judiciary and the justice system. I believe that Maldives will see the implementation of Islamic Sharia when these problems are resolved,” Dr Luthfee said.

He said that problems in the judicial system are quite evident and that the system needs to gain the confidence of the people to ensure the implantation of proper justice.

Instead of giving harsh sentence to drug addicts, a MDP government will try to rehabilitate them by providing a second chance, Dr Luthfee said.

“Our government, instead of giving harsh sentences to the youth that get entangled in drugs, instead of empowering the police and strengthening the police institution, we will try to strengthen the rehabilitation centres for youth and provide them with a second chance, to facilitate ways to get free themselves from the entanglement,” Dr Luthfee said.

Recently enacted legislation on drugs already provide the opportunity for addicts to undergo rehabilitation programs. The law has also established a Drug Court, which is required to give emphasis on treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.

On the contrary, the law levies heavy fines and long prison sentences upon those who are convicted of dealing, trafficking and importing of drugs.

Implementation of the new law on drugs has seen a 100 percent conviction rate of all individuals indicted for importing drugs.