HRCM Report on Visit to Maafushi Jail submitted to concerned authorities

News | 11 February 2009

Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has released a report based on findings of the Commission, following its visit to Kaafu Atoll Maafushi Jail, on 3 February 2009.

The visit was conducted following a series of complaints filed at the Commission, by the management of Maafushi Jail and parents of detainees regarding the deteriorating situation of the jail and alleged violations of human rights at the facility.

This report includes several recommendations made by HRCM to concerned authorities.

These recommendations advocate for the immediate establishment of a Prison’s Act and the revision of the Prison Regulation in accordance with that of the international best practices for the minimum standards in treating persons in detention facilities and simultaneously calling for the implementation of the existing regulation which according to HRCM findings is currently not being respected, to assign and re-affirm the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Services the responsibility of regulating and managing the Prisons as specified under the said Prison Regulation, categorization of prisoners, to bring an end to trafficking of drugs into the prison and its subsequent abuse within its premises and to confiscate all communication devices currently being used and tools which may be used as weapons by some prisoners.

The report has been presented to the concerned authorities including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister for Defense and the President’s Office. HRCM has held constructive dialogues with the some of the relevant authorities and the government has assured immediate action in resolving and improving the situation of Maafushi Jail.