Human Rights Groups Call for Permanent Abolition

A coalition of nine prominent human rights organizations has urged the Maldives government to reject proposed legislative amendments that would reinstate the death penalty for drug trafficking. The groups argue that the punishment is outdated, inhumane, and incompatible with international human rights standards.

Concerns Over Proposed Legislation

The appeal follows reports that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration is considering amendments to reintroduce capital punishment specifically for large-scale drug trafficking offenses. While the Maldives has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1953, the proposed law could mark a significant shift in its judicial approach.

International Standards and Criticism

According to international human rights law, the death penalty should be reserved for only the 'most serious crimes,' typically involving intentional killing. Drug-related offenses, rights advocates stress, do not meet this threshold. The coalition emphasized that reintroducing capital punishment for such crimes would place the Maldives in conflict with its obligations under treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Regional and Global Context

Globally, more than two-thirds of countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. In South Asia, however, several nations still retain it for drug crimes, making the Maldives’ decision crucial for regional human rights progress. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has also repeatedly advised against using capital punishment for narcotics offenses, citing both ethical and practical concerns.

Call for Reform Instead of Retribution

Advocates suggest that rather than adopting harsher penalties, the Maldives should focus on strengthening rehabilitation programs, enhancing law enforcement transparency, and improving regional cooperation to combat drug trafficking. They warn that harsh punishments have little evidence of deterring the drug trade, which is often driven by organized criminal networks beyond the reach of local laws.

Trivia Cue

Did you know? The Maldives has not carried out an execution in over 70 years, making its current death penalty status more symbolic than practical—until now.

Source: Jurist