Maldives under scrutiny as death penalty debate escalates

The Maldives is currently in the global human rights spotlight after eight leading international organizations issued a joint statement Wednesday, urging the government to reject the proposed reintroduction of the death penalty for drug trafficking.

Amnesty International and eight other organizations expressed strong concern following President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s July 30 announcement to pursue legislative changes that would introduce capital punishment for drug offenses.

The organizations emphasize that expanding the scope of the death penalty would violate international law and standards, given the Maldives' status as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. They call on Maldivian authorities to abandon these amendments and completely abolish the death penalty, labeling it a cruel punishment.

The joint statement, published by Human Rights Watch, lists the following foreign signatory organizations:

• Amnesty International

• The Advocates for Human Rights

• Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network

• Capital Punishment Justice Project

• Harm Reduction International

• Human Rights Watch

• International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

• World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

The Maldivian Democracy Network also signed the statement as a local organization.

President Muizzu's July 30 announcement, coupled with Home Minister Ali Ihusan’s December 2023 commitment to implement the penalty within the current term, has accelerated legislative efforts. Amendments to drug laws were submitted to Parliament late last year and are now under debate, with input from state bodies like the Police and Prosecutor General’s Office.

However, the international coalition warns that this move could align the Maldives with outliers such as Singapore, currently the only South Asian country actively using the death penalty for drug trafficking, while Sri Lanka maintains an unofficial moratorium.