Maafannu North MP and Chair of the Parliament's Judiciary Committee, Imthiyaz Fahmy, has said the committee has not dismissed any judges due to a personal vendetta. Imthiyaz made the statement while speaking at the Parliament on the bill seeking to restructure JSC.
While the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Parliamentary Group leader, Henveriru Central MP Ali Azim has previously said judges who do not issue their verdicts in a particular way may be dismissed, Imthiyaz noted this is not the party's policy.
Imthiyaz, who is contesting for MDP Chairpersonship, said he had not witnessed MDP dismissing any judges because they went against the party's view on a matter.
'Judges who have been the targets of our harsh criticism still remain in their post. You do not see [us] running after them with a personal vendetta. However, we have taken action against some judges who committed policy and disciplinary violations after carefully reviewing the matter', Imthiyaz said.
The MP further said dismissing all judges is not a solution and that the party intends to reform the Judiciary sector. While the reform efforts will have a political aim, the main objective is to ensure that the courthouses have the people's trust, he said.
'We have plans for JSC that we will implement at the appropriate, most strategic instance,' he said.
All members from MDP spoke against Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Toriq's bill on amending the Constitution to change JSC's structure. While they agreed JSC needed reform, the change will be brought together with other required changes by doing research and seeking opinions, they said.
