The recent dismissal of two Supreme Court justices by the Maldives Parliament has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations, which warned that the move could compromise the independence of the judiciary and undermine the rule of law in the country.
Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir were removed following investigations initiated by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Judicial Service Commission in February 2025. The investigations began shortly after the Supreme Court began hearing a constitutional challenge to recent amendments that limit lawmakers’ ability to cross party lines. Around the same period, a third justice, Al Suood, resigned in protest, and Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan also stepped down.
The UN has expressed concern over the timing of these developments, noting that the investigations appeared to follow the judiciary’s scrutiny of politically significant constitutional changes. Critics have alleged that the investigations were intended to pre-empt any judicial pushback against the government’s efforts to enforce party loyalty in parliament through constitutional reform.
Serious questions have also been raised regarding the conduct of the proceedings. The dismissed judges allege they were not allowed to testify or mount an adequate defence during the closed-door sessions that led to their removal. Justice Azmiralda’s legal representation was reportedly not permitted to speak in her defence, prompting concerns about procedural fairness and due process.
The UN has cautioned that such developments could set a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing future governments to use institutional mechanisms to target members of the judiciary and silence judicial oversight. These actions, the UN noted, risk rendering the courts ineffective in upholding the law and holding the executive to account.
The parliament had earlier passed legislation reducing the number of Supreme Court justices from seven to five, citing the ongoing investigations. The complaints against the judges reportedly originated from anonymous sources and centred around allegations that they had used their positions to influence the release of Justice Azmiralda’s husband after his arrest. However, reports suggest the alleged communications with the criminal court occurred only after his release, raising doubts about the strength of the claims.
The UN has reminded the Maldives of its obligations under international human rights law and its own Constitution to maintain an independent and impartial judiciary. Strong checks and balances between the branches of government, the UN stressed, are essential for the effective protection of human rights and democratic accountability.
