President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the government will submit a bill to the People’s Majlis aimed at facilitating the implementation of capital punishment.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the President’s Office, President Dr. Muizzu said the proposed legislation is intended to establish a comprehensive legal framework to ensure the enforcement of death sentences.

He stated that, as the head of state of a Muslim majority nation, it is not within his discretion to withhold the implementation of such sentences once all stages of the judicial process have been completed.

He added that the government considers it necessary to formalise procedures to guarantee enforcement through law rather than relying on limited regulatory measures.

According to the President, several inmates in the Maldives remain on death row, with their sentences upheld through all levels of the judiciary, including the Supreme Court.

He emphasised that a structured legal mechanism is required to address these cases.

President Dr. Muizzu also revealed that the Attorney General’s Office (Maldives) is in the final stages of drafting the bill, which is expected to be presented to Parliament during the current session.

He noted that once the legislation is passed and ratified, the government intends to proceed with implementing capital punishment for individuals whose cases have reached legal finality and meet all necessary criteria.

The Maldives has maintained a de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 1954, and the proposed bill signals a potential shift in the country’s long-standing approach to capital punishment.