Committee approves Habeeb for HRCM membership

Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, on Tuesday, approved the appointment of former vice president of Elections Commission (EC) Ismail Habeeb as a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives.

Applications opened for HRCM membership in June in light of the resignation of Dr. Ahmed Adhuham Abdulla, who had been serving as a member of the Commission, back in October. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu nominated Habeeb for the post from the applicants on July 15^th and in this trajectory, sought parliament’s approval for the appointment.

Human Rights Committee which reviewed the nomination summoned Habeeb to the Committee on Monday, and interviewed him.

In the Committee meeting held on Tuesday morning to make a decision regarding Habeeb’s appointment, the Committee’s Chairperson, Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha said members have given higher than 75 marks on an average to Habeeb.

Henceforth, the Committee members in attendance at Tuesday’s convening unanimously approved his appointment as an HRCM member, deeming his capability to fulfill the responsibilities of the post.

Habeeb joined EC in 2003, as an administrative worker. He later became a member of the commission, and served two full terms during which he held the post of the commission's vice president as well. 

The commission’s regulations bars members from serving more than two terms. Therefore, Habeeb was forced to leave the commission after 21 years of service upon the expiration of his term on March 13^th.

Meanwhile, the tenure of the commission’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq who is also serving a second term, is set to expire in November.