Tag: HRCM

HRCM Vice President under threat after police ‘traitor’ claim

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has condemned the Maldives Police Services’ claim its Vice President Ahmed Tholal had called police officers “traitors” on Friday.

In a live blog on the opposition’s mass Friday protest, police claimed Tholal had called officers traitors while disembarking from a speedboat returning from Dhoonidhoo Island Detention Center following a visit with former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Condemning the police’s “false accusations,” the HRCM in a statement yesterday said Tholal and his family had started receiving threatening phone calls and messages.

Meanwhile, Tholal, in a tweet described the accusation as “politically charged” and said he would resign if police are able to prove their claim.

“But if I’m proven right, who’ll resign from the police?” he asked.

Speaking to Minivan News, Tholal said the HRCM’s Secretary General (SG) Shamoon Hameed and staff who were present in the speedboat would testify no such incident had taken place and that there had been no confrontation with the police at all.

The police have asked the People’s Majlis’ Independent Institutions Oversight Committee to investigate the case.

The HRCM said the police’s accusations undermines public trust in the commission and obstructs it from carrying out its mandate. It has asked the Police Integrity Commission to investigate the incident.

Angry crowd

Last week, a group of five angry men entered the HRCM offices and threatened to assault the five Human Rights Commissioners.

According to HRCM member Jeehan Mahmoud, the group had been unhappy over a statement issued by the commission on February 23 condemning the police’s mistreatment of former President Nasheed at the Criminal Court.

The opposition leader, currently in pre-trial detention, claimed he had sustained injuries when police manhandled him and dragged him into the court on Monday prior to the first hearing of a sudden terrorism trial.

Nasheed limped into the courtroom with his arm in a makeshift sling.

The HRCM statement said police had used disproportionate force, and urged the state to immediately extend medical attention and access to a lawyer.

Meanwhile, Hameed last week said police refused to allow the HRCM to conduct an independent medical examination of the former president.

However, the police have denied Nasheed sustained any injuries, with Superintendent Hamdhoon Rasheed telling the press on Wednesday (February 25) that an X-ray taken of Nasheed’s shoulder at the doctor’s request did not reveal any injuries.

“Doctors have assured us that President Nasheed did not sustain any injuries,” Rasheed said.

Rasheed also condemned the HRCM for issuing a statement “immediately after the incident” without “conducting an investigation.”

The police ‘use of force review committee’ was also conducting an investigation to determine if excessive force was used, Rasheed revealed.

The Supreme Court in September initiated suomoto proceedings against the HRCM, charging the commission with undermining the constitution and sovereignty of the Maldives by spreading lies about the judiciary in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submission to the UN Human Rights Council.

The case is still pending at the Supreme Court. The HRCM has denied the apex court’s claims.

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Police denied Nasheed an independent medical examination, claims HRCM

The Maldives Police Services have refused an independent medical examination of former President Mohamed Nasheed, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has alleged.

The opposition leader, currently in pre-trial detention, claimed he had sustained injuries when police manhandled him and dragged him into the court on Monday prior to the first hearing of a sudden terrorism trial.

Nasheed limped into the courtroom with his arm in a makeshift sling

HRCM Secretary General Shamoon Hameed told local media that a team from the HRCM had gone to Dhoonidhoo detention center on Monday night with a doctor, but police refused the commission’s request for the independent examination.

The HRCM law empowers the commission to visit places of detention without prior notice.

However, the police have denied Nasheed sustained any injuries with Superintendent Hamdhoon Rasheed telling the press last night that an X-ray taken of Nasheed’s shoulder at the doctor’s request did not reveal any injuries.

“Further, doctors have assured us that President Nasheed did not sustain any injuries,” Rasheed said.

Rasheed also condemned the HRCM for issuing a statement “immediately after the incident” in which the commission condemned the disproportionate use of force against the former president.

The commission said it was “investigating the police’s brutal treatment of the former president.”

“We will accept constructive recommendations by the Human Rights Commission about operations conducted by police,” Rasheed said.

”However, condemning our work without an investigation is unacceptable.”

The police ‘use of force review committee’ was also conducting an investigation to determine if excessive force was used, Rasheed revealed.

Meanwhile, Hameed defended the HRCM’s prompt statement, stating that the commission believed police acted harshly towards the ex-president.

Speaking to reporters after a visit to Dhoonidhoo, Nasheed’s wife, Laila Ali, said doctors had recommended the former president undergo a week’s physiotherapy for a shoulder injury.

A police spokesperson confirmed Nasheed had seen a doctor at Medica Clinic in Malé at 2:20pm on Tuesday (February 24). Neither his family nor lawyers were informed.

Right to legal representation

The international community expressed concern over the manhandling of Nasheed as well as the denial of legal representation in his first trial held on February 23. Nasheed was charged with terrorism over January 2012 arrest of the Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

On Monday (February 23), the Criminal Court informed Nasheed’s lawyers that they had to register at the court two days in advance despite being unaware of the trial until the former president’s arrest the previous day.

Hassan Latheef from Nasheed’s legal team Hassan Latheef told Minivan News today that three out of four lawyers on the team have now been registered to represent the former president in the second hearing scheduled for 8:00pm tonight.

Latheef said police informed the lawyers today that they could only meet Nasheed at the Dhoonidhoo detention centre after 1:30 pm.

“After many requests and arguments, the police finally allowed lawyers to meet Nasheed in Dhoonidhoo”, Latheef said.

Latheef explained that lawyers were normally allowed to meet clients at Dhoonidhoo after filing the necessary paperwork at the Male’ Atholhuvehi police station, accusing police of deliberately hampering and obstructing the work of Nasheed’s legal team.

However, at last night’s press briefing, Superintendent Rasheed accused Nasheed’s lawyers of “deliberately lying” when they claimed that police denied access for the legal team to meet Nasheed.

As of last night, Rasheed said the legal team has met Nasheed five times since his arrest of Sunday afternoon, including twice yesterday, adding that Nasheed’s family has also met him three times.

“So we condemn the statements by various people to mislead the public,” he said.

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Angry crowd threatens to assault Human Rights Commissioners

A group of five angry middle-aged men entered the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) offices at 10:00am on Tuesday and threatened to assault the five commissioners.

According to HRCM member Jeehan Mahmoud, the group was unhappy over a statement issued by the commission on Monday condemning the police’s mistreatment of former President Mohamed Nasheed at the Criminal Court.

The HRCM statement had condemned the police’s disproportionate use of force against Nasheed, and urged the state to immediately extend medical attention and access to a lawyer.

The commission said it was “investigating the police’s brutal treatment of the former president.”

Jeehan said the group threatened to harm the five commission members and demanded a meeting immediately. When HRCM staff declined, the group threatened to harass the members on the street.

“Inciting hatred and violence and issuing threats is an offence,” she said.

According to Jeehan, members of the public frequently harass HRCM, alleging the commission is biased and does not exercise its powers fully.

“But this is the first time in a while that we’ve had such a direct threat of bodily harm. However, this will not affect out work at all,” she said.

The statement had been approved by all five members of the commission and signed by its Secretary General, Jeehan noted.

The Maldives Police Services have confirmed the case is under investigation.

Nasheed is currently being held in pre-trial detention at the Dhoonidhoo Island Detention Centre. He is charged with terrorism over the military’s detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

Speaking to Raajje TV after a visit with Nasheed, his wife Laila Ali revealed that doctors said there was an injury to the former president’s shoulder and recommended he undergo physiotherapy for a week.

A police spokesperson confirmed Nasheed had seen a doctor at Medica Clinic in Malé at 2:20pm yesterday. Neither his family nor lawyers were informed.

The police had manhandled Nasheed when he attempted to answer questions posed by journalists upon his arrival at the Justice Building at 4:00pm on Monday.

Minivan News journalists observed Nasheed repeatedly asking the police to pull back, saying he would walk into the court room on his own accord. Villa TV cameramen captured footage of a police officer twisting Nasheed’s thumb.

Nasheed fell down and his shirt was torn in the process. Half an hour later, he appeared in court with his arm in a makeshift sling.

The opposition leader said his arm was broken and asked for immediate medical attention and right to legal counsel. Presiding Judge Abdulla Didi ignored his request and proceeded with the trial.

The Maldives Police Services have denied brutalising Nasheed and dismissed his claim of a broken arm, claiming the former president had staged his own fall while resisting police attempts to escort him into the court building.

The EU, UN, Commonwealth, India, US and Canada have expressed concern over Nasheed’s arrest and trial. Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon has since hit back at international statements, claiming they were biased towards the opposition and poorly researched.

Speaking on TVM’s “Maldives Today” programme on Monday night, Presidential Affairs Minister Mohamed ‘Mundhu’ Hussein Shareef accused Nasheed of playing “stunts” in order to get international media attention and said such incidents tarnished Maldives’ image.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb said Nasheed must be tried and penalised to ensure justice is done to Judge Abdulla Mohamed and his family.

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Ibthihaal’s mother remanded as nation mourns

Afiya Mohamed – the woman suspected of killing her three-year-old son Ibthihaal on Vaavu Rakeedhoo – has been remanded for 15 days.

The 26-year-old was arrested yesterday afternoon after having spent the previous 48 hours under police watch. Meanwhile, a protest march circled the capital Malé to raise awareness of child abuse.

A warrant was issued for Afiya’s arrest soon after the discovery of her son’s body, with signs of severe abuse, in their home on Wednesday (January 28).

After local authorities revealed that both the police and the gender ministry had been aware of the abuse prior to the incident, Attorney General Mohamed Anil has said the child was living in a safe environment when officials last visited.

“He was not living with the mother when our team visited the island. He was in a safe environment. But we acknowledge that the situation was not properly monitored afterwards, which resulted in the child being returned to the mother,” Sun Online reported Anil as saying.

Ibthihaal’s two siblings are currently in the care of family members, local authorities have said.

Suspicions of state negligence in the case have prompted investigations from Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), the Prosecutor General’s Office, and a Majlis special committee.

The gender ministry has now formed its own inquiry team, though not before angry protesters entered the ministry’s offices on Thursday morning after it had failed to make an official statement on the case.

NGO Advocating for the Rights of Children has pointed to deficiencies in the legal, judicial, and social sectors tasked with the protection of the rights of children, while the HRCM has condemned the state’s failure to protect him.

“The importance of preventing child abuse is a topic which is spoken of a lot, but it has not received adequate action. Every time such an incident occurs everyone talks of strengthening government institutions,” read an HRCM statement.

Protesters in Malé yesterday echoed the calls of civil society groups to immediately enhance child protection measures.

Speaking at a party rally on Thursday evening, Progressive Party of Maldives Parliamentary Group Leader Ahmed Nihan promised to prioritise social protection measures.

During the same rally, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said everyone should take some measure of responsibility for the boy’s death, calling the incident a national tragedy.


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State negligence investigated in death of Rakeedhoo child

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office are conducting separate investigations into the death of a child in the island of Rakeedhoo in Vaavu atoll.

The body of three-year-old Mohamed Ibthihaal, showing signs of severe abuse, has now been brought to Malé for further investigation and examination.

HRCM commission member Ahmed Tholal said that the focal point for vulnerable groups will lead a comprehensive investigation into the child’s death in a human rights perspective in order to identify any negligence by state institutions and individuals.

“We will share the report of the investigation with the public and relevant institutions. The report will also point to potential systematic flaws that may have led to this tragic death”, Tholal said.

Rakeedhoo Island Councillor Abdulla Rasheed told Minivan News yesterday that authorities had been aware of the abuse, having visited with the mother prior to the incident.

“We previously informed the police and gender ministry that the kid was being abused, but when [the mother] was questioned she was going to take care of the boy and stop abusing him,” explained Rasheed.

The mother was said to be unresponsive to questioning yesterday, having alerted health officials to the incident after she had rushed to the health centre before passing out.

State negligence?

Neither the police nor the gender ministry were revealing details of the case at the time of publication, though both have promised statements.

PG’s Office Spokesman Adam Arif told Minivan News that the office was currently investigating the death and that it will also focus on the events leading to the death in terms of possible negligence on the state’s part.

“Maldives Police Services will be investigating how exactly the child died and the immediate circumstances. The PG Office will investigate the events that led to this, including talks about how some state institutions were made aware of the child being beaten and abused”, Arif said.

The boy’s mother was known to the authorities as having a record of abusing the boy, who is the eldest of three. Media have published old images of child, appearing to show a black eye from past abuse.

Arif also noted that a three-member team of prosecutors are currently collecting information about the history of abuse in the case the child.

PG Muhthaz Muhsin was quoted in media yesterday as saying. “It is unacceptable that the child was handed over to the mother for the second time after it was found that she was beating him.”

Reaction

The incident has provoked an outpouring of grief, with President Abdulla Yameen promising strict punishments for those found culpable in Ibthihaal’s death. A public rally has been arranged for Friday at 4:15pm from the Raalhugandhu area in Malé.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held a news conference yesterday regarding the incident, expressing the party’s concern over possible systematic flaws that might have led to the death.

“The main issue is that, this is not first time that he was harmed. He did not die on the first day he was harmed,” said MP Rozaina Adam.

“This is not a political problem, but instead this is a very big social problem which can only be fixed if everyone in this country works towards a solution.”

She revealed that MDP parliamentary group has decided to summon the gender ministry and other relevant state institutions to the Majlis to investigate the matter and to identify ways to prevent the occurrence of any such incidents in the future.

MDP rights committee chair Hisaan Hussain welcomed PG’s decision to investigate into the matter. Pointing to the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan, Hisaan expressed her disappointment over the lack of results from such state investigations.

She suggested that proper measures taken at the right time could have prevented the death.

“Did the gender ministry monitor the situation within the house after its initial visit? If not, why not?”

Following the death of the child former president and MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed tweeted stating that “the only way to protect children is to strengthen the social protection programme”.

(PHOTO: IBRAHIM ASAD)


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HRCM commends government response to water crisis

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) commended the government’s response and relief efforts during the ongoing Malé water crisis in a statement issued yesterday on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

The efforts of various government institutions – under the supervision of President Abdulla Yameen – to provide water to residents of the capital were “praiseworthy,” HRCM Chair Mariyam Azra said.

The HRCM noted that arrangements were made to prioritise persons with special needs, pregnant women, the elderly, and children.

The commission advised taking the human rights of disadvantaged persons into account when formulating government policies, structures, and plans.

Parliament should also ensure the protection of fundamental rights in approving legislation, the statement added, noting that rights could only be restricted or narrowed “only if demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”

Meanwhile, among the commission’s achievements during the past year were conducting a national inquiry into the rights of persons with disabilities and finalising plans to open a regional office in the south.

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President Yameen to return to Maldives as water crisis enters third day

President Abdulla Yameen will cut short his personal trip to Malaysia and return to the Maldives as the Malé water crisis continues into its third day.

Speaking to the press, President’s Office spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz said Yameen is expected to return tonight (December 6), cutting short his visit to Malaysia, where his son is said to be receiving medical treatment.

In Malé, Minister of Defence Colonel (retired) Mohamed Nazim has said that damage to the capital’s desalination plant is extensive, and could take between three days and a week to fully repair.

Water services to the capital Malé have been shut off after a crippling fire damaged crucial components of the island’s sole desalination facility – the Malé Water and Sewerages Company (MWSC) – leaving over 130,000 people without water for bathing, cleaning, and cooking.

“We hope to achieve 100 percent in about a week. God willing, we will be able to get a good result in about three days,” said Nazim, speaking on behalf of a presidential task force.

While 60 percent of the repairs have been completed, he continued, the fire had caused considerable damage to the water treatment plants, requiring extensive repairs.

“The damage to the water treatment plants’ panel board was a lot more than we had expected. Since the spare parts are not available in the Maldives, we must wait until we can acquire it,” said Nazim.

International aid

Fresh supplies of water continue to arrive from abroad – most notably from India – with distribution being carried out by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) with the assistance of local NGOs alongside numerous private businesses.

The government has set up water distribution centers at schools and other public spaces, with each person allowed two 1.5 litre bottles, leading to the formation of large queues stretching around the capital. Local IT enthusiasts have developed a mobile app to enable residents to locate nearby distribution centres.

In addition, water is being pumped every six hours by MWSC for one hour periods although low water pressure means that many of the capital’s residents living in high rise apartments have received no supplies.

The MNDF has started distributing water through mobile tanks set up on military vehicles at various locations of the city, temporarily easing the queues at the water distribution centers.

President Yameen has declared today that all government offices will be closed on Sunday and Monday (December 7 and 8 ) as a result of the crisis, while calling on the public to remain calm and cooperative.

Meanwhile, the government of India continues to send supplies, having delivered over 150 tonnes of water via military aircraft in the past 24 hours. A second Indian vessel, with reverse osmosis facilities capable of delivering 200 tonnes of water daily, is expected to arrive today with 800 tonnes of water.

The Chinese government has sent 12 tonnes of water aboard a Mega Maldives flight from Beijing, with the foreign ministry also reporting Chinese naval vessels being en route to the capital.

Yesterday, Sri Lanka started sending water to the Maldives via Sri Lankan Airlines flights, while the UN in Maldives has said it will distribute 180 tonnes of rainwater stored under its premises on Buruzu Magu.

Local efforts

The Maldives Red Crescent (MRC) and teams of volunteers from telecoms provider Ooredoo have been been assisting security services, with Head of Planning Shabeen Ali telling Minivan News that people waiting for water have been “very calm and disciplined”.

Detailing efforts, MRC spokesperson Safa Musthafa explained that the MRC has mobilised more than 450 volunteers, requesting more people to join the distribution teams by reporting to Majeedhihyaa school which is operating as the organisation’s headquarters.

Safa also revealed that 5 tonnes of bottled water would be shipped tomorrow under the disaster and emergency relief fund set up by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has commended the state’s quick response to the water crisis, though it noted concern over reports of discrimination against migrant workers.

Human rights and pro-democracy NGO Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) also voiced concern over reported discrimination, though volunteers at distribution centres have said the government has reversed the initial requirement of an official ID to collect water.

Rumours of discrimination against migrant workers have circulated on social media with some members of the public telling Minivan News of a fight breaking out at Galolhu stadium last night after locals demanded priority over migrant workers in the queue.

MDN also raised concerns over the absence of a backup plan, urging authorities “to take lessons from this incident and come up with a backup plan for Malé and other islands”.

Former President Nasheed has called for an immediate inquiry into the causes of the crisis, questioning the government’s preparedness levels as well as President Yameen’s absence from the country.

Malé City Council – originally mandated with the provision of water services under the 2010 Decentralisation Act – has also raised the issue of responsibility for the crisis. A council statement noted that its offer of assistance had been rejected by the government’s task force.

International coverage

The BBC reports ‘Maldives in Water Crisis’, while a number of outlets, including the  Daily Mail and Al Jazeera, have chosen to focus on the small number of isolated incidents involving violence.

Government minister Mohamed Shareef was quoted by Reuters as saying that a state of emergency has been declared – soon picked up by the AFP – though this has subsequently been denied by the foreign ministry.

The Diplomat noted that the crisis represented an opportunity for India to demonstrate its capacity as “first responder” in time of crisis, as well as suggesting that a prolonged period without water might lead to “grave economic consequences and a broader political crisis”.

In Indian media, the New Indian Express ran the headline ‘IAF Airlifts Water Bottles to Quench Maldives’ Thirst’, while the Hindu has led with ‘How India staved off Maldives’ water crisis’.


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HRCM urges state to address needs of disabled, government launches programmes to improve services

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has urged the government and relevant authorities to fully address the needs of persons with disabilities.

“Disabled persons in the Maldives are not usually provided equal opportunities in education, health care and at communal interactions,” read the statement marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The HRCM noted that, despite the skills and resourcefulness of disabled persons, they are not provided with adequate opportunities and are often excluded by the community.

President Abdulla Yameen attended the official function marking the occasion today, with the first lady launching schemes to improve access to medical services and travel for disabled persons.

Today is the twelfth celebration of the international day, which seeks to promote understanding of disability issues and garnering support for affected persons through campaigns and support grants.

The theme for this year is ‘The Promise of technology’, with a focus on assisting the disabled with disaster risk reduction systems, creating enabling work environments, and addressing disability within future development goals.

While speaking at the  ceremony held this morning, Attorney General Mohamed Anil told local media that there were many rights which still needed to be provided for disabled Maldivians.

Anil noted that insufficient thought was going into the construction 0f disability-friendly buildings, adding that service provision was not addressing the needs of the disabled, resulting in “decreased participation and interaction of disabled persons within the community”.

First Lady Madam Fathimath Ibrahim launched the ‎medical and travel concessionary card for persons with disabilities, as well as ‎inaugurating the special discount programme ‘Dharumaverivaashe’.

The ‘Eheetheriya’ programme was also introduced by the national airline, making persons with ‎disability eligible to  a 15 percent discount when purchasing tickets ‎from the airline.‎ The Airports Ferry Operators Association announced last month that it would provide free services for the disabled between Malé and Hulhulé.

Today’s ceremony also saw the assignment of three disability rights goodwill ambassadors – Kaashidhoo MP Faisal Naeem, former Deputy Health Minister Fathimath Afiya, and disability rights activist and National Award winner Ahmed Hishan.

President Yameen also handed employment contracts with state-owned companies to ten people with disabilities.

The Maldives Association for Physical Disabilities (MAPD) observed the occasion today with a walk in the capital Malé, as well the launch of a programme aiming to provide equal and competitive sporting opportunities for disabled youth.

A baseline study conducted by the HRCM in 2010 stated that 8.1 percent of the population suffers from a temporary or permanent disability with most commonly reported disabilities being hearing impairments, speech impairments, and mental illnesses.

Maldives signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in October 2007, the purpose of which is to “promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.”

The Ministry of Law and Gender announced earlier this year that the government would turn Guraidhoo’s Home for Special Needs – currently the only such facility in the country – into mental health institute, providing separate facilities for the elderly, the disabled, and the psychiatric patients who currently reside there.

Additionally, Adhaalath Party MP Anara Naeem submitted an amendment to the Disability Act to raise the monthly allowance provided to persons with special needs to MVR5,000 (US$324) in order to enable medical treatment overseas.


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NGOs suggest government’s failure to engage is damaging civil society

As last week’s NGO conference came to close, the award ceremony – with Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim acting as chief guest – suggested strained relations between government and civil society.

Of the 22 organisations taking part in the conference organised by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives – 12 from Malé and 10 from the atolls – not all stepped up to receive certificates from the minister.

“I believe there are more relevant figures to be the chief guest at an NGO conference the country’s defense minister,” explained one NGO representative who boycotted the ceremony.

The main aim of the conference, in addition to providing networking opportunities, was to create a forum in which the participants could share the scope of the work done by the NGOs as well as discussing greater issues faced by civil society.

NGOs involved suggest that many of those issues involved the government’s lack of effective engagement, perhaps typified by the recent decision of the immigration department – headed by minister Nazim – to introduce exit permits for migrant workers.

The controversial scheme was reversed less than two weeks after being introduced after complaints from NGOs, who had not been consulted adequately prior to its introduction.

Groups present at the conference listed migrant workers rights as one of their main areas of interest, alongside health rights, children’s rights, women’s rights, and disability rights.

Lack of support

Discussing concerns raised during the conference, Maldivian Democracy Network’s (MDN) Shahinda identified the government’s lack of financial support for NGOs as the most pressing issue facing civil society.

“For several years, the government has allotted financial support for NGOs in the state budget. However, we have never seen the support being fully realizsed even though it is stated in the budget,” said Shahinda.

HRCM Vice President Ahmed Tholal noted that, although financial support for NGOs is included in the state budget, a lot of the expenditure is spent on sports association rather than NGOs working for human rights.

“Given the lack of state financial support, NGOs often have to resort to individuals and donors,” continued Tholal. “The current public perception is that if an NGO has a donor, then it must be one sided or politically motivated. This is not true in most cases.”

A general lack of perception or an understanding of the work civil society is doing was another key issue raised during the three-day conference.

While speaking at the closing ceremony, one participant representing Muraidhoo Ekuveringe Jamiyya from Haa Alif Muraidhoo, said there was little appreciation of work done by NGOs from either the public or from government institutions.

Chairperson for the Maldives Association of Physical Disabilities, Ahmed Mohamed, commented that the general public remains unaware of disability rights.

“I think it is the duty of the government to increase awareness or work on empowering NGOs so that we can increase our outreach in spreading awareness,” said Ahmed.

MDN also suggested that the poor public appreciation of civil society and the lack of acknowledgement of NGO could be traced back to a lack of engagement from the government.

“Every year, our annual reports are sent to the home ministry which just files it. The reports detail what we do, our achievements and other relevant information. All of this is not acknowledged by the state so the general public is unaware of the work we do,” complained Shahinda.

Tholal also stressed the importance of state acknowledgment of NGO work, suggesting that public perception is shaped by the state’s response to work done by NGOs.

“NGOs are institutionalised and organised voices of the public. Government institutions have to respect statements and reports from NGOs whether they agree or disagree with the political ideology of the government,” noted Tholal.

Shahinda added that the public sometimes has unrealistic expectations of NGOs, saying that organisations do not have the capacity to deal with every single issue.

An intimidating future?

HRCM Vice President Tholal stressed that NGOs role as human rights defenders was being jeopardised as there was insufficient space and capacity to operate effectively and independently.

NGOs at the conference voiced concern over the prevalence of threats and measures made by the state to intimidate and silence civil society and other independent institutions.

“There have been numerous threats and attacks on civil society organisations and individuals. Government has done little to no work to address these threats,” said Shahinda.

Most recently, Supreme Court initiated a ‘suo moto’ proceeding against the HRCM for its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submission made to the UN, while denouncing the HRCM’s suggestions that the judiciary was controlled and influenced by the Supreme Court.

A similar proceeding – in which the court acts as both plaintiff and judge – was used in the ousting and prosecution of Elections Commission President Fuwad Thowfeek and Vice President Ahmed Fayaz in February.

In October 2013, the home ministry launched an investigation into comments made by Transparency Maldives and the Tourism Employees Association of the Maldives (TEAM), saying that it would not allow any organisation to challenge the law.

Staff at anti-corruption NGO Transparency Maldives have also been subject to death threats as well as one employee being physically assaulted during the recent Majlis elections.

Asked about the future of the civil society in the Maldives, Tholal reiterated the importance of state acknowledgement in order to improve the current atmosphere.

“I believe that the civil society is the most important voice in raising issues against the state in making it more responsible,” said Tholal.

While things may get difficult, Shahinda expressed confidence that important work carried out by civil society groups would continue.

“If things do not change, it is going to be more and more challenging. However, I am sure these challenges alone will not hinder the work of the civil society”.

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