Serious unresolved issues in the home for children

The annual report of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has revealed that serious issues remain unresolved at the home for children ‘Kudakudhinge Hiya’, even after these issues have been raised by HRCM.

The 109-page report says that 31 issues were noted by HRCM following a study conducted on the protection of children’s rights in care homes. Only 3% of the solutions recommended by HRCM were implemented.

Among the problems noted by HRCM is the limited number of employees at the children’s home, which results in overwork of those currently employed. The report notes the importance of hiring trained and experienced staff to care for children. It recommends the filing of children’s medical records and also keeping proper record of medication given to them.

No response was received for the rules and regulations drawn up by HRCM based on the existing draft of basic obligatory standards in children’s homes in the Maldives.

The report, detailing HRCM’s efforts in terms of human rights in the Maldives last year, the challenges faced in this regard, and also noting the names of institutions which have ignored these issues, has been presented to President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and the Parliament. The report was published yesterday.