Government Looks to Death Penalty to Deter Drug Trafficking

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has submitted a draft bill to amend the Drugs Act to impose the death penalty on drug traffickers. Currently, the death penalty is only applicable for murder cases. The bill proposes the death penalty for smuggling over 500 grams of specified drugs. Other amendments include broadening the definition of drug trafficking, granting additional powers to the Drug Court, and changes to rehabilitation. The death penalty has not been implemented in the Maldives since 1953, though some have been sentenced to death in murder cases. The previous administration under Abdulla Yameen drafted a law for execution by lethal injection or hanging but did not implement it. Homeland Minister Ali Ihusaan stated the administration's policy is to implement the death penalty. Several agencies have expressed concern.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has submitted a draft bill to amend the Drugs Act to impose the death penalty on drug traffickers. Currently, the death penalty is only applicable for murder cases. The bill proposes the death penalty for smuggling over 500 grams of specified drugs. Other amendments include broadening the definition of drug trafficking, granting additional powers to the Drug Court, and changes to rehabilitation. The death penalty has not been implemented in the Maldives since 1953, though some have been sentenced to death in murder cases. The previous administration under Abdulla Yameen drafted a law for execution by lethal injection or hanging but did not implement it. Homeland Minister Ali Ihusaan stated the administration's policy is to implement the death penalty. Several agencies have expressed concern.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has submitted a draft bill to amend the Drugs Act to impose the death penalty on drug traffickers. Currently, the death penalty is only applicable for murder cases. The bill proposes the death penalty for smuggling over 500 grams of specified drugs. Other amendments include broadening the definition of drug trafficking, granting additional powers to the Drug Court, and changes to rehabilitation. The death penalty has not been implemented in the Maldives since 1953, though some have been sentenced to death in murder cases. The previous administration under Abdulla Yameen drafted a law for execution by lethal injection or hanging but did not implement it. Homeland Minister Ali Ihusaan stated the administration's policy is to implement the death penalty. Several agencies have expressed concern.

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