MDA leader: Justice cannot be achieved for as long as political figures are in JSC

Maldivian Development Alliance’s (MDA) leader, Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has stated that justice cannot be achieved for as long as there are political figures in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Speaking at a press conference by MDA on Wednesday evening, Siyam said that injustices are taking place within the judiciary system. On this note, he pointed out delays in court trials and the increased number of politically motivated cases as pressing issues.

“When a prominent figure does something big, or commits a huge theft, they are able to gain independence after staying in jail for six or so months or a year, or by self-exiling themselves to another country,” he had said.

Siyam said that the biggest reason why matters unfold this way is as JSC is politicized in addition to the lack of the Commission’s independence.

“Currently, the Judicial Service Commission comprises of political figures. See, what justice can be achieved if there are political figures,” he had said.

Siyam stressed that there will be no political figures in an administration of MDA, or an administration that the party is privy to.

Amending how JSC is composed, and eliminating the opportunity for political figures to sit in the Commission is an electoral pledge of the current administration.

Although two bills proposing these changes were submitted to the Parliament within this term, the two bills have been voted out through Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) super-majority within the Parliament.

In the parliamentary debate held regarding these two bills, Parliament Speaker, MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed has talked in view that JSC must be subject to political influence to some extent.