Inquiry Commission cannot conduct a complete investigation of change of government: Nasheed

Lawyer and Kulhudhuffushi South MP Mohamed Nasheed has said that the National Inquiry Commission set up by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik cannot conduct a complete investigation of how the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed came to an end.

Nasheed was speaking at the Parliament on the issue presented by Baarah MP Mohamed Shifaz, who accused Police and Military of being ‘traitors’ and criticised the government for promoting Police personnel to mark the 79th anniversary of Police Service on 30 March.

Nasheed said that over the past two months, the Inquiry Commission has hesitated to conduct an open, complete, fair investigation into the events of 7 and 8 February. Even if an election is held now, people will remain doubtful of the events of 7 and 8 February:

“If different political parties cannot agree, the international community should be involved in investigating and describing the events in detail. The investigation system should be acceptable, open and trusted by the divided political groups. Studies should be conducted into what was done wrong, who did wrong. Even if we hold an election today, or two years later, people will always be doubtful of the events of 7 and 8 February.”

Nasheed further said that unless changes are made to National Inquiry Commission, the issue cannot be resolved in an acceptable manner:

“I don’t believe that National Inquiry Commission is capable of this investigation. Changes have to be made to the Commission, they have to be given more authority, and more parties have to be involved in the process. Otherwise there will not be any acceptable solution to the issue.”

He added that should there exist an investigation of acceptable standard into this issue, it should be supported and facilitated.

When the time for the debate on the issue presented by Shifaz ran out, a vote was taken to extend the time; however this was rejected by 28 out of 58 members voting against it.

The bill relating to arbitration was also debated on during today’s session.

The quorum was lost now and then during today’s session; the session was brought to an end due to the loss of quorum as well.