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An international Expert’s Observation on the Reform
Agenda of Maldives

“The Maldivian government is to be greatly commended for introducing not just
a reform program, but a very comprehensive program, much of which is  already under way.
Matter of fact, there has been more reform in the  legal system of the Maldives in the last
 few years than probably in any other country in  the world…

... And the Maldives has introduced a very comprehensive and just system over
investigating crime such that, I have seen this myself, such as that the confession
or statement by accused persons are now video taped and the person is allowed
to have a lawyer present, and a whole range of the other safeguards which do not
exist before and do exist now. That is a very welcoming change. And in some
aspects, the Maldives is leading the world in this area…

There are a number of things that do need to change. But one of the things that
I have met here is the almost passion in the government ministries, presumably,
handed down from the President to the cabinet, to reform…”

Justice Marcus Enfield
(Justice of Supreme Court of Australia)
Commonwealth Consultant advising on the reform of the Judiciary of Maldives
From an interview given to the Television Maldives on 25th October 2005

Documents

Maldives Reforms (PDF)