Male’, Maldives – Capital punishment cannot be abolished in the Maldives, says Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem.
Speaking at a program on local radio channel, ‘Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu’, PG Shameem answered a question by a called about his opinion on implementing the capital punishment, he said that the punishment cannot be abolished in the Maldives and that it is not something the public wants even.
“The capital punishment cannot be abolished in the Maldives. From what I believe, the death penalty cannot be abolished in the Maldives without bringing changed to the laws in the country.” He said.
Shameem’s comments come following the statement of the Attorney General of Maldives, which said that the capital punishment will not be changed without the public’s opinion being considered in the matter, during the UPR session held at Geneva, Switzerland, in which Maldivian delegates spoke remotely.
Many Islamic scholars in the country also expressed dissatisfaction following the remarks of the Attorney General, saying that the laws of Islam cannot be changed as Maldivians please.
However, even though the Maldives carries the capital punishment for a number of crimes, it has not been implemented in 67 years. Although former President Yameen Abdul Qayyoom had said that his administration will resume the implementation of the capital punishment, he was not able to do so during his five year regime.
