President Dr. Muizzu has said the state has no discretion to withhold execution of death sentences in cases where all stages of the judicial process are complete and the sentence must be carried out.
The President made the remarks at a press conference held at the President's Office today. The government submitted a bill on determining and carrying out the death penalty to the People's Majlis today.
President Dr. Muizzu said no government in the Maldives has so far wished to carry out the death penalty, but that upholding the principles of Islam in a country that is 100 percent Islamic is the most important policy of this government.
"Therefore, the policy of this government is to carry out the death penalty in line with the principles set out in law," the President said.
He said qisas (retribution) paves the way for saving lives, and that because it removes offenders from society and deters people from killing or harming one another, it ensures peace and personal safety.
The President added that this is not something that can be done through a regulation or a mere procedure, but must be done through a strong legal framework with clear procedures.
He said the bill sets out the circumstances in which the death penalty will be carried out, how it will be done, and the rights of those sentenced. It will include all the principles laid down in Islamic Sharia, such as the completion of the three stages of trial, the right of the heirs to grant forgiveness, and circumstances in which execution may be postponed, such as illness or having an infant child.
The President said he knows there will be those who oppose carrying out the death penalty, but that the government is working to establish justice and implement the principles of Islamic Sharia.
According to the bill, submitted on behalf of the government by Guraidhoo constituency MP Hanaan Mohamed Rasheed, the death penalty in the Maldives will be carried out by hanging.
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