Chief Justice calls for defence forces to keep actions within the limits of the law

Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussein has called for all state institutions to keep their actions within the limits of the Constitution when carrying out their respective responsibilities.

In a document endorsed by him and sent to the media, the Chief Justice said that the state powers are separated and assigned certain responsibilities and tasks in order to guarantee peace and freedom in the society, and that all institutions should work within the limits of the Constitution.

“I advise that one institution, when exercising the power accorded to them by the Constitution, respect and pay attention to the dignity and prestige of other institutions involved, and that they keep their actions within the framework of the Constitution when carrying out their responsibilities and tasks,” says the document.

“It is essential that state defence forces do not interfere with the institutions in the process of providing important services, and that they keep their actions within the constitutional structure when exercising their authority.”

Faiz further said the Constitution can protect citizens only if the state institutions respect one another’s authority and decisions in fulfilling their regulatory obligations. Also, that interference with one institution’s constitutional powers would shake up the entire system and would weaken the country’s constitutional foundation.

“Interfering with one institution’s constitutional powers causes interference with the entire system. A problem created in one branch of the state will result in disruptions in the whole system,” says the document.

This document comes at a time when the Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed is under arrest. Police have neither complied with Supreme Court’s order to release him, nor disclosed his whereabouts till now.