Government Bills Aim to Protect Citizen Rights and Sovereignty: President

Proposed legislation concerning the safety and future of citizens is aimed at upholding individual rights while safeguarding national independence and sovereignty, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said today.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office, President Muizzu addressed several key government-sponsored bills submitted to the People’s Majlis, including the proposed Bill on Sentencing and Enforcement of the Death Penalty. He noted that the bills were formulated with the primary objective of protecting public rights and national sovereignty, emphasizing that the country's legal framework must align with these core priorities.

Elaborating on the capital punishment legislation, the President stated that the Government’s policy is to enforce the death penalty in accordance with legal procedures, standards, and safeguards. He maintained that deciding against enforcing a court-ordered death sentence is not a discretionary matter for the leader of a Muslim nation.

Responding to concerns raised by stakeholders regarding international obligations, the President noted that while the Maldives is party to numerous global treaties, it enters into agreements subject to reservations to ensure compatibility with domestic laws. He added that all relevant provisions, reservations, and legal interpretations remain publicly accessible.

The President also said judicial independence had previously been used as a pretext to avoid enforcing criminal sentences. He stated that his administration has instead focused on bolstering the independence and capacity of State powers by addressing their budgetary and administrative hurdles, underscoring that the new bill guarantees capital punishment is carried out strictly under legal due process and statutory safeguards.