News Desk
MALE’, Maldives —President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu has pledged to reshape the Maldives’ approach to criminal justice. Speaking on his “With the People” podcast Thursday, the President outlined an ambitious vision to reduce prison overcrowding, reform pretrial detention, and strengthen human rights—a promise that carries profound implications for a country with South Asia’s highest per capita prison population.
The announcement came just a day after President Muizzu met with public advocates for detainees, their voices heavy with stories of families torn apart by prolonged detentions. “I heard their pain,” Muizzu said, his tone measured yet resolute. “We cannot let administrative practices erode human dignity.” His words resonated with advocates who have long criticized the systemic reliance on remand custody, a practice inherited from previous administrations that has left hundreds languishing in pretrial limbo.
At the heart of President Muizzu’s plan is the Bail Act, passed last year, which allows for the release of detainees under electronic monitoring. The President envisions freeing up to one-third of eligible detainees—those not charged with serious crimes like murder—while their cases are investigated. “This is about fairness,” he said. “No one should lose years of their life waiting for justice.” The reform, he added, aligns with a campaign promise to prioritize human rights, a vow that helped propel him to victory.
The Maldives’ prison system is a stark outlier in the region. With over close to two thousand inmates in a population of just 550,000, the country’s incarceration rate dwarfs that of its South Asian neighbors. More than 300 people currently await trial in custody, including five who have been detained for years, their cases mired in bureaucratic delays. The human toll is palpable: families fractured, futures stalled, and a growing sense of distrust in the judicial system.
President Muizzu’s reforms aim to address these systemic failures head-on. Beyond electronic monitoring, he is exploring non-custodial sentencing options to alleviate pressure on prisons. Practical steps are already underway, with the President collaborating with the Prosecutor General’s Office, police, and the Attorney General to streamline processes. “This is not just talk,” he emphasized. “The work has begun.”
On Thursday, President Muizzu underscored his commitment by inspecting a new criminal court building under construction in Hulhumalé, a reclaimed island near the capital. The facility, with 11 courtrooms, is designed to expedite pretrial processes and reduce detention times. “This building is more than concrete and steel,” President Muizzu said, standing amid the hum of construction. “It’s a step toward justice.” He pledged to ensure the court is fully staffed, addressing chronic administrative shortages that have long plagued the judiciary.
The scope of President Muizzu’s vision is unprecedented. The reforms are the most significant since the Maldives adopted a new Penal Code, marking a potential turning point for a nation grappling with its judicial legacy. As the President navigates this complex terrain, his efforts will be closely watched—not just by detainees and their families, but by a global community increasingly attuned to the intersection of justice and human rights.
For now, President Muizzu’s pledge is a beacon for those caught in the system’s shadow. “We are building a Maldives where justice is not delayed, where dignity is upheld,” he said. In a country of islands scattered across the sea, that vision feels both vast and deeply personal—a promise to reconnect lives fragmented by bars and bureaucracy.
