My heart aches for the Maldives, a land of turquoise seas and resilient people, now wounded by a brazen assault on its judiciary.
The dismissal of Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir is not just a legal travesty. It’s a betrayal of every Maldivian who dreams of a just nation.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Judicial Service Commission (JSC), and Parliament’s Judiciary Committee have trampled the rule of law, while former Chief Justice Muthusim Adnan stood silent until his retirement on May 10, 2025.
As a citizen, I am heartbroken, enraged, and determined to fight back.
A Cruel Ambush on Justice
Imagine dedicating your life to uphold justice, only to be silenced without a chance to speak. On February 26, 2025, Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz, pillars of our Supreme Court, were suspended by the JSC, hours before a critical hearing on the anti-defection law that could have challenged President Mohamed Muizzu’s iron grip.
The JSC then pushed to dismiss these justices, and on May 11, 2025, the Judiciary Committee approved, callously denying them their constitutional right to defend themselves.
The Majlis’ own legal counsel cried foul, declaring the process unlawful. Yet the Committee marched on, deaf to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM)’s pleas for fairness.
Institutions That Failed Us
The ACC, our shield against corruption, has abandoned us. It sits idle, complicit in this injustice. The JSC, meant to cradle judicial integrity, has become a blade, cutting down independent voices.
The Judiciary Committee, entrusted to protect our courts, has bowed to political whims, forsaking its duty. These are not mere failures, they are daggers in the heart of our democracy, wielded by those sworn to serve us.
A Chief Justice’s Silence
Most painful is the silence of former Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan. He was our judiciary’s guardian, the one we trusted to stand tall. Yet, as his colleagues faced this orchestrated purge, he said nothing.
His retirement, days ago, feels like a quiet surrender, leaving Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz to fight alone. His silence echoes in our hearts, a reminder that even leaders can abandon their people in moments of crisis.
Our Democracy at Stake
This is not just about two justices – it’s about the soul of our nation. Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz are not faceless names; they are mothers, mentors, and defenders of our rights, now humiliated for their integrity.When Parliament sealed their dismissal today, a puppet Supreme Court will rise, paving the way for the government to crush opposition through the anti-defection law. Voices and dreams for fairness will be silenced.
A Call to Our Hearts
On X, Maldivians are rising with #MaldivesJustice, their words a beacon of hope. The HRCM’s voice, though soft, carries our pain. International allies like Human Rights Watch stand with us. We must join them. Let #MaldivesJustice be our cry.
A Plea for Our Future
The Maldives is our home, our heart.
Will we let it become a land where justice is a memory? Or will we rise, hand in hand, to save it?
For us, for our children, let us keep fighting for justice.
Smile and Let Smile 