The UK’s Daily Mail reported yesterday that Maldives authorities have suspended 56 lawyers on Monday, including all those who are defending dissidents, for demanding the rule of law in the politically restive archipelago.
The report reveals
The Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) said those who signed a petition making the demand were suspended indefinitely because they had violated several laws and were in contempt of court.
“The petition is an unlawful document and signing it is an act that interferes and puts pressure on the justice system,” said a DJA statement.
The ban applies to over a third of the 150 lawyers in private practice in the Maldives and to the entire legal team of exiled opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed and other dissidents.
An alliance of four opposition parties said the suspension by President Abdulla Yameen’s government means dissidents would no longer have access to quality legal counsel.
“An immediate practical implication of the suspension is that individuals unfairly targeted by President Yameen´s regime will find it virtually impossible to find effective legal counsel,” they said in a statement.
“This includes high profile politicians, as well as members of parliament who were recently stripped of their seats.”
Full Report http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4872078/Maldives-suspends-lawyers-demanding-rule-law.html
