A united front of international human rights organizations made a fervent plea to the Maldives government on Wednesday, urging it to scrap a legislative proposal that would reintroduce the death penalty for drug trafficking offenses. This coalition, consisting of nine prominent groups, expressed deep concerns over the move, which they believe contradicts global human rights norms and the country's commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The urgency of their call follows an announcement by Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, about a review of potential changes to the 2011 Drug Act. These amendments, first brought to Parliament in December 2024, aim to impose capital punishment on individuals convicted of smuggling or trafficking narcotics. This legislative push aligns with the government’s strategy to intensify punitive measures amid a significant uptick in drug-related incidents. According to a 2023 report from the Maldives Bureau of Statistics, there were over 50,000 drug-related arrests from 2016 to 2023, alongside an increase in opiate-positive tests.

However, the rights groups argue that reintroducing the death penalty would be a regressive step, violating the Maldives' obligations under the ICCPR. Article 6(6) of the ICCPR emphasizes the abolition of the death penalty and underscores the protection of the right to life. The United Nations advises that the death penalty should only be reserved for the most severe crimes, primarily those involving intentional killing, highlighting the disproportionate nature of its application to drug trafficking offenses.

Critics of the death penalty argue that it is not only an ineffective deterrent but also disproportionately targets vulnerable individuals, such as low-level drug mules, without addressing the root causes or the higher echelons of drug trafficking networks. They advocate for a more comprehensive approach that targets the kingpins and dismantles the entire drug trafficking infrastructure.

The call to reject the death penalty aligns with a broader, global advocacy against capital punishment, which is viewed as an archaic and inhumane practice. The organizations emphasize the need for the Maldives to honor its international commitments and adopt more humane and effective law enforcement strategies that respect human rights and the dignity of all individuals.

The plea from these organizations is a critical reminder of the ongoing global dialogue about the appropriateness of the death penalty in modern legal systems, particularly in cases that do not involve direct harm or loss of life. As the Maldives considers its next steps, the international community watches closely, hoping for a decision that aligns with contemporary human rights standards and the global movement towards the abolition of capital punishment.