In the News: Maldives

Last week, the Maldivian parliament received an emergency motion against the appointment of two female judges to the Supreme Court. As further elaborated in SHARIAsource’s Country Profile, the Maldives’ Constitution designates Islamic law is the principal source of legislation. The motion was proposed on the basis that the appointments would contradict Islamic principles and law. However, the motion failed to acknowledge the current presence of women in service to the Maldivian judicial system. According to an article published by The Edition, “a female judge was first appointed in Maldives twelve years ago during the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom” – a president who continues to defend the practice of appointing women as judges. 

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