HRCM silent over notice of termination to Shammoon

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) remains silent over notice of termination sent to Secretary-General Shammoon Hameed, subsequent to an amendment to HRCM regulation.

Shammoon has filed a lawsuit with Civil Court over the issue.

HRCM’s Senior Bureau Officer, Mariyam Saeeda said that information regarding the case would be shared with the media after the members discussed the issue.

“Sun” was unable to get the word of President of HRCM, Aminath Enas and Vice President of HRCM, Shifaq Mufeed as neither have responded to phone calls.

HRCM member Naiveen Abdulla said that a statement would be made after discussion between members.

HRCM regulation was amended to write a time period for the term of a secretary-general.

Where it didn’t have a specific time for a term, it now says that the term of a secretary-general is five years from the day of appointment.

Shamoon was appointed as secretary-general in February, 2012. And according to the new amendment, his five-year term is due to end in February, 2017.

HRCM regulation dictates that a secretary-general can only be terminated from his/her post in line with Employment Act and HRCM regulation.

The decision needs to be passed in an official HRCM meeting, and the secretary-general needs to be sent written notice stating why he/she was being fired.

Any other way a secretary-general can be terminated from his/her post is when the five-year term ends.

Its common practice in Maldives that an amendment to law or regulation is implemented after it is published on the Government Gazette.

But the amendment to HRCM regulation was not published in the Gazette.

Shammoon filed the lawsuit claiming he was given notice of termination in violation of his work contract.