HRCM calls upon the government to share clear information with the public about accepting Guantanamo Detainees
Published on 26-05-2010
Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has called on the government of Maldives to share with the public, accurate and comprehensive information about the two detainees from the Guantanamo Bay prison that the government of Maldives is planning to accept.
HRCM said that sharing accurate information would clear any confusion caused by different versions of the issue by the media. The commission stated that citizens have a right to know, and the government has a responsibility to make clear to the public the government’s planned course of action in this matter, its legality in accordance to the Maldivian Constitution, Laws and international conventions to which Maldives is party to.
HRCM said that the government should make the matter clear to the public to avoid any disconcerting issues and provide answers to questions like: whether it would bring about any undesired change to Maldives’ social, economic and political stability, whether this could pose any internal or external threat to national security, what are the security plans and strategy to protect the nation from such a threat and how much thought have been put into guaranteeing the personal safety and security of the detainees to be brought here.
Highlighting the fact that Maldives has recently become a member of the UN Human Rights Council and that Maldives is party to several international Human Rights Conventions; the commission noted that in matters like this Maldives should act in a responsible, transparent manner and in accordance to international standards, democratic principles and norms of human rights. HRCM also said that if the detainees are innocent, the best course of action, according to best practices in human rights would be for the Maldivian government to talk with concerned parties in working for the detainees’ freedom and repatriation.