Maldives must criminalise genocide under international law, says Prosecutor General

Prosecutor General Ahmed Usham has said that the Maldives is obligated under international law to criminalise the commission of genocide. Responding to criticism of a government-submitted bill to amend the Penal Code, Usham said the amendment—brought in line with international treaties—would designate genocide as a criminal offence and strengthen penalties for acts that undermine the economic security of the state and acts contrary to Islam. Usham noted that the Maldives acceded to the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) on 24 April 1984. Article 5 of the Convention requires states parties to enact laws to give effect to the Convention and provide penalties for genocide-related crimes. He said the Maldives has not fulfilled that obligation even 42 years later. He also highlighted that the Maldivian government has intervened in cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), including “The Gambia v. Myanmar” and “South Africa v. Israel,” advocating accountability for countries committing genocide against Muslims. However, Usham said the Maldives' failure to meet its own obligations under the Genocide Convention weakens the legal stance it presents while urging other states to uphold the Convention. The amendment submitted to Parliament, he said, criminalises genocide in accordance with the Genocide Convention and prescribes punishment for the offence—a requirement the Maldives must implement under international law.