Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has stated changing the composition and the mandate of Judicial Service Commission (JSC) would not bring the total solution needed to reform the judiciary.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Secretariat of Parliament, Speaker Nasheed raised questions on why the judiciary was not held accountable, adding JSC was formed some 10 years ago. Nasheed further raised questions on which amendments are needed for the JSC and the relevant laws to hold the judiciary answerable. He added the courts of law were influenced which stopped JSC from carrying out its mandate and holding the judiciary responsible.
Elaborating on the influences in the courts, the parliament speaker noted businessmen found the courts as a mean that will assist in broadening their ventures and profits, gangs and criminals found the courts as way to get protection from the rule of law.
The speaker added the courts were also highly influenced by politicians. In this regard, Nasheed highlighted politicians has been using the courts to broaden their political authority, adding judges have had a long-lasting friendship with businessmen, gangs and politicians.
Therefore, the speaker said the judiciary cannot be reformed by only changing the composition and the mandate of JSC. He said there are more priorities that have to be achieved before bringing changes to the commission and its mandate.
Noting the need to amend several articles of the constitution, the speaker said changes must be brought cautiously, after debates and by referring to the opinions from the public. He said although a single party holds a supermajority in the parliament, it should not be used drastically to make the necessary amendments to the constitution.
Nasheed revealed he supports the idea of bringing changes to the composition and the mandate of JSC, adding however, those efforts must follow the reform of the courts. He said the first priority must be to bring the immediate changes needed to reform the judiciary.
The speaker noted the aim of the parliament is to establish a developed judicial system in Maldives, alike to the system practised in many developed countries. Nasheed said not only Maldivians but foreigners, especially investors must feel the reforms brought to the courts.