HRCM expresses concern over delayed bills

Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has expressed concern over the low productivity of the People’s Majlis and delayed bills, as a result of which protection of human rights in the Maldives is subjected to challenges.

HRCM also expressed concern for its propositions and ideas not being incorporated into Acts made by the Majlis.

Annual Report 2011 of the HRCM, published today, said that out of 27 statutes that are needed immediately, only 8 have been passed by the Majlis. In her introductory note to the Report, Mariyam Azra, President of the HRCM said that this greatly hindered the upholding and protection of human rights in the country. Azra also wrote that only 5 pieces of the passed legislation were done so with HRCM’s proposition included in them.

HRCM Report also stated that 244 comments had been sent to the Majlis in relation to the bills now in the Majlis.

HRCM noted that the Majlis should pass 20 bills as soon as possible for the justice system to start functioning properly. Those bills, according to the Report, include Bill on Sexual Harassment, Bill on Criminal Procedure, Bill on Protection of Minors and Incapacitated from Sexual Crimes, Bill on Maldives National Building, Bill on the Right of Information, Bill on Juvenile Justice, and Bill on Parliamentary Privileges.

Ahmed Thalal, Vice President of the HRCM said that many among the public are not aware of the role of the Commission in upholding and protecting human rights in the country, and that awareness needed to be increased. He also said that the media, sometimes, seemed to think that the HRCM was an implementing agency.

“If we are judged on the basis of things which are outside our mandate, our performance would seem weak. I do believe that the HRCM has some problems in its functioning, which need to be corrected”, said Thalal.

Ahmad Abdul Kareem, Member of HRCM, said that complainers often failed to properly follow up their cases, and do not cooperate with the Commission in pursuing its obligations in relation to such cases.

According to HRCM Report, Commission Members visited some 18 imprisonment facilities under the Maldives Police Service and the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Services (DPRS) in an effort to monitor treatment of inmates in those facilities. The Report also said that 42 per cent of its directions for improving conditions in those facilities were complied with.

625 cases involving human rights issues were filed with the HRCM, according to the Annual Report. The Commission is reported to have initiated on its own another 21 cases. Among the cases currently being investigated by the Commission include the case of an inmate’s death in Maafushi Jail, and the abduction and enforced disappearance of Criminal Court Chief Judge during January this year.