Saturday
28th Sep 2024
Dhivehi Edition
PG Hussain Shameem
Maldives Judiciary Committee Approves Motion to Dismiss Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem
PG Shameem, Photo: Majilis
The Maldives Judiciary Committee has approved a motion to remove Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem from office, following a series of allegations against him. The motion, brought forward by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, was approved in response to growing public and parliamentary discontent with Shameem's performance.
Appointed as Prosecutor General on December 8, 2019, during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, Shameem's five-year term is set to expire in December 2024. However, his tenure has been marred by controversy, leading to the recent push for his removal. The motion now awaits further parliamentary approval, which is required to finalize the dismissal.
MP Shahid, in a letter to Speaker Abdul Raheem, highlighted the need for a Prosecutor General who operates with complete independence and adheres strictly to the laws of Parliament and the Constitution. He emphasized that the role of the Prosecutor General must be executed without influence or direction from any individual or entity.
The letter also detailed several instances of alleged misconduct by Shameem, which Shahid argued made him unfit to continue in his role. Among the key allegations were:
-Failure to Prosecute: Shameem is accused of failing to pursue legal action against former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed, who faces serious rape allegations, thereby undermining women's rights to dignity.
-Mismanagement of High-Profile Cases: The decision not to appeal a lower court's ruling in a rape case, the dismissal of a human trafficking case against former MP Ali Riza, and the mishandling of other sensitive cases were cited as significant failings.
-Dismissal of Binge Drinking Cases: Shameem is accused of dismissed 77 cases of binge drinking, an offence deemed highly serious in Islam, since 2020.
-Discrimination and Inaction: The letter alleges that Shameem failed to investigate cases of misconduct within the Prosecutor General's Office, including accusations against prosecutor Ahmed Shafiu for drug use and derogatory comments about the Prophet and Islam.
The motion also references Shameem's handling of the ventilator corruption case and his alleged discrimination against staff within the Prosecutor General's Office. Shahid's letter calls for Shameem's immediate removal under Article 28(a) of the Maldivian Constitution, arguing that his actions have violated several constitutional provisions.
The Judiciary Committee's approval of the motion follows public protests and widespread criticism of the delay in addressing the allegations against Shameem. Demonstrators gathered outside Parliament earlier, demanding his removal.
As the motion proceeds to the Parliament floor, the Maldives awaits further developments in this case, which could lead to significant changes within the nation's legal and judicial framework.