Foreign Minister welcomes submission to the ICC

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem yesterday welcomed the submission, by a group of local lawyers, of a case alleging human rights violations to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

When questioned by MNBC One, local television channel, on the submission, the Foreign Minister noted that “becoming a member of the ICC was one of the main priorities of this administration and it was this administration which submitted the matter of accession to the Rome Statute to the Parliament”.

“Our aim is for all Maldivians to have access to the highest court in the international criminal legal system so as to achieve remedy and redress for grave crimes against humanity”, stated Minister Naseem.

Referring to the case submitted by the local lawyers, Minister Naseem suggested that the local lawyers may not have read the Rome Statute, otherwise they would be familiar with the definition of crimes against humanity contained therein, a definition which clearly bears no resemblance to the focus of the submission made to the ICC. He also expressed surprise that the lawyers have cited the International Convention against Enforced Disappearances, which is not related to the Rome Statute. However, the Minister expressed his belief that “it’s a good sign in a democracy when locals use the international legal system.  This is a proud moment for the Government”.

Meanwhile, the case of the illegal arrest of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed has been submitted to the International Court of Justice yesterday. The case was submitted by a team of prominent lawyers who have condemned the judge’s arrest and called for his immediate release.

The team of lawyers include former Attorney Generals Azima Shukoor, Diyana Saeed and 3 other lawyers Shaheen Hameed, Mazlan Rasheed and Mohamed Anil.

In the document the lawyers team sent to International Court of Justice, they have mentioned 11 points  and said Judge Abdulla was arrested by the MNDF against the law and court order, and the judge was not released even after the Supreme Court has issued an order to release him. The lawyers request from the International Court of Justice to help find justice in this case and help facilitate necessary action against those involved in the arrest.