Bisham: Lack of faith in criminal justice system is alarming

Lack of faith in the country’s criminal justice system amongst the general population is a key concern, says Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham.

Speaking during the inauguration of the 1st Prosecutors Symposium held at the Islamic Center hall this Saturday morning, PG Bisham said that the lack of faith in the criminal system posed a problem for all agencies which exist within the criminal justice system.

She said that substantial and sustainable reforms were imperative in order to restore faith in the country’s criminal justice system.

“I believe key reforms are imperative in order to maintain the public’s faith in the system. These reforms also need to be sustainable,” said Bisham.

Bisham said that it lay in the hands of the agencies within the criminal justice system to bring about the necessary reforms, and that transparency was key to restoring the public’s faith in the system.

“Establishing transparency and fairness in the work of the agencies to practice policies which are acceptable to the public is the key factor. The public needs to see justice being established. And this needs to be done from within a system which is public friendly,” she said.

Bisham said that restoration of public’s faith in the criminal justice system was key to resolving all other social issues affecting the country.

She said that though Maldives currently practiced had a Constitution and Criminal Procedure Code which is up to par with those practiced by modern jurisdictions, agencies within the criminal justice system remained ignorant of the changes.

“As such, I have noticed a lack of awareness of among the agencies within this system regarding concessions allowed to persons suspected of a crime under the Criminal Procedure Code and persons accused of committing relatively minor crimes. However, I have no doubt this too can be achieved through the collaborative effort of all State agencies to perfect this system,” said Bisham.

Bisham said that it was imperative that State agencies expedite all regulations needed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system, and bring about the necessary revisions necessary to existing laws.