Change Fishermen’s Day, requests HRCM

The Human Rights Commission to the Maldives (HRCM) has requested the government change Fishermen’s Day from 10 December to avoid it clashing with International Human Rights Day.

“Due national importance is not given to any one of these two days when both days are commemorated on the same day,” a statement from HRCM read, adding that while International Human Rights Day was designated by the United Nations in 1948 and has been celebrated as one of the most important days marked all over the world,” fishing was also the country’s second most important industry after tourism.

HRCM said it was making the request for the date to be changed after a group representing Maldivian fishermen raised the issue with the organisation.

“HRCM to do whatever it can to convince the government about the importance of this change as fishermen themselves feel they would be more comfortable marking a day on their behalf if they are allowed to celebrate on a different day,” it said.