4 February 2012, Male'; The Minister of Foreign Affairs today welcomed the decisions by the United Nations and the Commonwealth to dispatch a team of high level officials to the Maldives in response to its requests for assistance in the reform of the judicial sector.
"The Government is delighted that the UN and the Commonwealth have responded positively to the Government's request for assistance in the resolution of the deeper structural problems facing the judiciary", said Minister Naseem. "We are determined to resolve the judicial crisis in a peaceful manner and to give due respect and true meaning to the sanctity of the doctrine of separation of powers and democratic principles as enshrined in the Constitution", added the Minister.
A UN team headed by Assistant Secretary General Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Tarranco is due in the Maldives on the 9th of this month. The Commonweal high level team is scheduled to arrive this week.
The UN Delegation will hold discussions on judicial reform and opportunities to support the democratic transition. The Commonwealth Delegation will discuss ways of addressing the current challenges faced by the Government including judicial independence. Both Missions will have a definite agenda for specific measures to reform the judiciary including the necessity to elevate the educational standards of the bench on par with the Constitution and international norms.
ENDS