Human Rights Watch (HRW) and ten human rights organizations on Thursday urged The government of Maldives has withdrawn its plans to end the death penalty moratorium and introduce the death penalty for drug offenses.
HRW warned that the Maldives’ latest proposal would violate its obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rightsand a number of United Nations (UN) resolutions. The organization said the proposal was regressive given “regional and global trends that have led 113 countries to completely abolish the death penalty.”
On March 23, 2026, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that a bill to end the moratorium on the death penalty would be submitted to the legislature of the Republic of Maldives during the current parliamentary session. The meeting is expected to end in May.
The moratorium has been in effect since 1954. This Press release “The President’s Office explained that after ratification, the government will proceed with the implementation of the death penalty for those whose cases have become final and meet all legal requirements for execution.”
In December 2025, President Muizzu ratified The Third amendment to the Medicines Actproviding for harsher penalties for drug crimes, including the death penalty. The press release states: “The amendment also specifies that offenses punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty will not be eligible for a pardon under any circumstances.”
HRW emphasizes that the introduction of the death penalty for crimes that “have not previously been punishable by the death penalty contradicts the goal of abolishing the death penalty.” It called on the government to comply with its obligations under international law, “withdraw plans to implement the proposed death penalty law” and “commute all existing death sentences.”
