Investigating the Former Regime

Investigating a former regime is always tricky business. It invites accusations of vendetta and witch hunting. This is particularly so in the Maldives where historically such investigations have not been very fair. This may be the reason why so far no attempt has been made to bring to justice the alleged crimes of the previous government.

There are pros and cons of bringing former regimes to justice. One view is that it would help prevent future crimes by cautioning those in corruptible positions that they would also be brought to book one day. An opposing view is that the process of investigating former regimes often turns political, leading to social tensions.

Whatever the end results, justice –if it needs to be done –must be done without delay. Articles 50 and 51b of the Constitution guarantees the right to prompt justice even to the accused. Perhaps it is because of this that Member of Majlis and Chairman of Judicial Services Commission Hassan Afeef has recently announced that investigations will soon be launched against the activities of the former regime. Read details here.