The following  press statement is released by Maldivian Detainee Network, Transparency Maldives, Rights for All, Maldives Aid, Madulu, Democracy House, Maldives NGO Federation and Strength of Society.

“Serious crimes such as assault with sharp weapons; drug trafficking; sexual abuse of women and children; and murder have become common in Maldivian society. There is also an alarming increase in threats to journalists and others in the media. We condemn this increase in serious crime and the failure of the state and responsible authorities to convict those responsible for these crimes.

In 2008: 6 cases of murder were reported to the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and 4 cases were forwarded to the Prosecutor General (PG). The PG in turn submitted 3 cases of murder to the Criminal Court in 2008 of which 2 cases resulted in convictions. In 2009: 12 cases of murder were reported to the MPS and 6 cases were forwarded for prosecution to the PG. The PG in turn submitted 11 cases of murder to the Criminal Court in 2009. The Criminal Court closed 6 cases of murder in 2009, of which 2 cases did not result in any convictions. In addition to this, we note with great concern that there is not a single case of ‘rape’ in the statistics maintained by either the PG or the Criminal Court. This is alarming because statistics from MPS show that in 2008, 9 rape cases were reported while 10 rape cases were reported in 2009.

The unprecedented level of crime in this historically peaceful and peace-loving country has led to a climate of fear. This situation is causing people to lose confidence in the fledgling democratic system and is a serious obstacle to consolidating democracy in the country. We note with regret that some individuals blame the rise in crime and failure to deliver justice on the new democratic system and human rights safeguards. We would like to take this opportunity to clearly state that the democratic system and human rights safeguards per se are not to be blamed for the current increase in serious crimes and failure to deliver justice, but rather the unsatisfactory implementation of these systems and safeguards.

Preventing and successfully prosecuting crime requires that appropriate relationships and levels of communication exist between the responsible State authorities. We believe that the current inadequate nature of this relationship and lack of communication between the authorities are main reasons behind the recent failure to convict criminals.  While the various state authorities continue to blame each other for the current situation, crime continues to rise, eroding public confidence in the responsible independent and government institutions.

The deteriorating crime situation is one of the most serious and sensitive issues currently facing the Maldives. We call upon all relevant State authorities, both government and independent, to treat the issue as such, to fulfill their responsibilities to the people, to prioritize national interest and to improve inter-institutional relationships and channels of communication.

We believe that the ‘Anti-Social Behavior Bill’, ‘Gang Related Crimes Bill’, ‘Evidence Bill’, ‘Criminal Procedures Bill’, revisions to the Penal Code and ‘Special Procedures to Reduce Crime Bill’ are crucial tools in the effort to reduce crime and successfully prosecute criminals. As such, we call upon the Parliament to pass these bills and the President to ratify them as soon as possible as a matter of the greatest urgency.

Reducing crime in society is a responsibility that falls on every Maldivian citizen. We thus urge everyone to perform their civic duty by assisting the State in both preventing and prosecuting crimes. We also request that parents and guardians recognize and fulfill the vital role that they have to play in this regard.

We further call upon the relevant State authorities to comprehensively study and identify the causes for the recent rise in crime, in particular, identify why convicted criminals are able to offend repeatedly. We urge the State to take the necessary steps, based on these findings, to prevent and prosecute crime in the country.”

Press Statement on the escalation of crime in Maldives