Haveeru
Daily News Article 21 March 2005
http://www.haveeru.com.mv/
Quick Translation
Sentences Specified for Some Crimes Inappropriate for Modern Times: Criminal
Justice Action Plan
21 March 2005
Ahmed Hamdoon
The five year National Criminal Justice Action Plan compiled by the Attorney
General’s Office noted that sentences specified for some crimes in the Justice
System of the Maldives did not suit contemporary times.
According to this report, compiled in collaboration with foreign consultants,
the amounts extracted as fines against some crimes are not appropriate the
present day. The Action Plan also noted that alongside inflation and the
increase in the amount of income it was unlikely that crimes can be stopped
owing to the fines levied as punishment for crimes.
The Action Plan stated sentences such as house arrest and banishment to other
islands, as punishment, are inappropriate in today’s day and age.
“Due to the development of communications in the Maldives, criminals who are
under house arrest are quite free. Also because of the limitations in sea
transport and the standards of communications available in the other islands,
banishment to other islands constitutes a very serious punishment. Banishment of
criminals to other islands also facilitates avenues for elements in these island
communities to gravitate towards crime”, the Action Plan states.
According to the Action Plan compiled by the Attorney General’s Office for the
period 2004-2008, in order to amend sentences specified for crimes, it was
imperative that the Justice System be re-analysed. It also noted the importance
of establishing rehabilitation programmes for the re-assimilation of juvenile
delinquents into society.
Ends