The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has revealed that some 500 complaints of alleged human rights violations were lodged at the commission in the past year.
According to statistics made public yesterday, the complaints include 106 cases concerning the right to work; 77 cases of unlawful detention; 74 cases of social protection to children, young, elderly and disadvantaged people; 47 cases concerning standard of health care; and 23 cases of torture or degrading treatment.
Speaking at a press conference, HRCM Chair Mariyam Azra Ahmed said the commission investigated and closed 216 cases between January 1 and September 14 this year.
Among major cases submitted to the commission in that period included the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protest outside the Supreme Court on October 20, the alleged suicide of an inmate in Maafushi jail on November 15, the death of an infant due to “shoulder dystocia” on March 3 and complaints regarding inmates released under the government’s ‘Second Chance’ programme.
Azra informed press that the commission has undertaken studies to assess the human rights situation in the country and was currently drafting an assessment report on human trafficking in the Maldives due to be finalised at the end of the month.
Moreover, a draft of recommended amendments to the HRCM Act would be sent to parliament in the near future, Azra said.
The commission meanwhile conducted a number of programmes to raise public awareness of human rights, including training workshops and media campaigns by the advocacy department featuring video spots. Among notable public outreach programmes was the ‘Every neglect is an abuse’ campaign against child abuse.
The commission also released booklets and leaflets providing information on the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
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It's good that we can now assess the human rights situation in the country and be transparent about this. I wish we had the same opportunity to talk about the ill treatments we faced when Azra was a head mistress in our island.
Good. At least you've managed to pass enough milestones to deserve a news article now.
Its still a pity that the HRCM can do nothing if foreign donor agencies are not there to take them by the hand. The wastage of State funds as inflated salaries for ineffective employees at HRCM does not justify the minuscule achievements they have made so far.
Good reason why we need a UN Rapporteur for Human Rights for Maldives working here.
When we have people like Dr Shaheed working as a UN Rapporteur for Human Rights for Iran, why shouldn't we have one here when there are so many human rights issues in our tiny nation?