The Maldivian Democratic Party strongly condemns with deep concern the Maldivian government and state’s failure at every stage to protect the rights of a 15-year-old rape victim, in extending a judicial sentence against her. The MDP also finds it deplorable that the Prosecutor General had instead pressed charges against the minor, who had suffered years of sexual abuse, as if she had consented to a sexual offense, in complete disregard of circumstances concerning her case.

The MDP also condemns the fact that it was Judge Mohamed Naeem who had passed sentence against her at the Juvenile Court, as the Judicial Service Commission’s public notice that Judge Mohamed Naeem had committed an offense while serving at the Civil Court and had been relegated in penalty to the Juvenile Court as Senior Judge, is deceptive, as that action had resulted in a promotion instead of a punitive measure. The Maldivian Democratic Party finds it reprehensible that the consequence of such action had been the unjust prosecution and unjust sentencing resulting in unjust punishment of a 15 year old victim of sexual abuse.

The Maldivian Democratic Party calls on all institutions of state to take immediate steps in ensuring due process on this unjust sentencing in dispensing justice for this underage and unfortunate victim of sexual abuse.