‘Infringement of rights’: Council demands reversal of decision to remove Kandevarehaa from Hoandedhdhoo

The council of GDh. Hoandedhdhoo on Monday asked President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to reverse his decision to remove the uninhabited island of Kandevarehaa from its jurisdiction, describing the move as an infringement of the rights of the people of Hoandedhdhoo.

On Sunday, President Muizzu issued a decree amending the geographical jurisdiction of the Hoandedhdhoo administrative region by removing Kandevarehaa from its jurisdiction.

According to the President’s Office, the decision aligns with President Muizzu’s broader pledge to foster integrated tourism development in GDh. Atoll.

In a statement on Monday, the Hoandedhdhoo Council noted that Kandevarehaa was added to the jurisdiction of Hoandedhdhoo via presidential decree in 2020 by then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The council said that Hoandedhdhoo has a vibrant tourism industry and is among islands in the larger Huvadhoo Atoll with the highest number of tourist beds.

The council said that the 2020 decision to add Kandevarehaa to the jurisdiction of Hoandedhdhoo had boosted the people’s hopes to develop tourism in the island.

The council expressed concern that Sunday’s decision to exclude Kandevarehaa from Hoandedhdhoo’s jurisdiction despite President Muizzu’s pledge during his 2023 presidential campaign that he would facilitate the development of tourism in the uninhabited island.

The council said that President Muizzu had reiterated his promise during his visit to Hoandedhdhoo on January 7, assuring council members that he will remove obstacles to developing Kandevarehaa based on an integrated tourism model.

The council added that the plan to develop Kandevarehaa based on an integrated tourism development model was included in Hoandedhdhoo’s land use plan following discussions with the island’s residents.

The council said it finds “the move by the government to make such a decision without considering how damaging it is to the people of Hoandedhdhoo deeply regrettable.”

The council made three key demands to President Muizzu. They are:

• To immediately withdraw the decision to remove Kandevarehaa from the jurisdiction of Hoandedhdhoo.
• To make decisions after consulting with the people of Hoandedhdhoo and identifying their developmental needs.
• Establish a fair and transparent mechanism in making changes to the jurisdiction of islands.

The council described Sunday’s decision as an infringement of the rights of the people of Hoandedhdhoo, and one which will hinder economic development of the island and adversely impact the lives of its people.

“We therefore ask relevant government authorities to revise this decision and have Kandevarehaa remain in the jurisdiction of Hoandedhdhoo,” said the council.

Last year, the Hoandedhdhoo Council had invited bids to develop a tourist resort in Kandevarehaa.