Summary of the Annual Report 2007
Press Release | 02 March 2008
The Annual Report 2007 of the Human Rights Commission was released on 27 February 2008. The Report assesses the human rights situation in the country, in addition to providing details of the Commission’s activities, including meetings conducted, major activities and workshops held, inspection visits and investigations undertaken, and subsequent recommendations to public authorities by the Commission. Also, included in the report are some statistics for complaints received, disputes resolved, complaints under review, and financial particulars including international aid.
A number of significant activities by the Commission in 2007 are highlighted in the Report. The Commission advising the Government to formulate a National Human Rights Action Plan, its designation to house the independent National Preventive Mechanism [as under Article 17 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment], the Commission gaining Associate Membership of the Asia-Pacific Forum, the Commission as observers at the 2007 referendum on a system of government, the Commission’s enquiry on the death of Hussein Salah, commemoration of the Human Rights Day, and Awareness Raising workshops on human rights, are some of the notable events of 2007.
The Commission laid great emphasis on raising awareness on human rights during 2007. In this regard, workshops were held in Malé for NGOs working for human rights, Curriculum Developers, Maldives Police Service personnel, and teachers and supervisors at local schools. Workshops outside Malé were mainly focused for local NGOs working in the atolls. Feedback on these activities of the Commission revealed changing public attitudes towards the Commission, and human rights in the country in general. Some of the significant observations of these workshops were that people came to understand that everyone is entitled to human rights, and they may better enjoy human rights by respecting the rights of others and through conforming to legal norms.
A number of complaints were submitted to and processed by the Commission in 2007. Further investigations were required on some complaints, while others were followed by inspection visits to places of detention and subsequent reports being sent to the relevant public authorities. Kuda Kudhingé Hiya (Child Care Centre), Malé Remand Centre, the new remand centre or Malé Jail, Centre for People with Special Needs, Maafushi Jail, Atholhuvehi, and Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre are some places the Commission visited in 2007. Investigation visits had also been undertaken following some complaints. Details of all such visits, and the recommendations of the visit reports are included in this Report. The Report also contains information on some follow up discussions held with the concerned authorities and remedial action implemented by these authorities, on some of the Commission’s recommendations. Such remedial action by public authorities strengthen the resolve of the Commission in its work to promote human rights in the country.
From 1 January to 31 December 2007, a total of 531 complaints were received at the Commission. Of these, 69 related to employment rights. 61 complaints of wrongful arrest; and 57 cases of torture were submitted to the Commission while 38 claims cited the December 2004 tsunami, and 37 cases involved property rights. By the end of the year, the Commission had processed a total of 293 complaints, while 238 cases were under review. The Report provides summaries for some complaints processed by the Commission during the year. As a national human rights institution, the Commission has considered equally important both individual and community rights, and emphasised local laws, the principles of Islam, and international standards in the resolution of all disputes. In its work in issuing press statements and in public interactions as well, the Commission has looked to build an ethos of revealing facts based on principles of peace, harmony and justice.
In order to more effectively protect, sustain and develop human rights in the country, the Commission acquired staff and increased institutional capacity. Further, many activities were carried out and work of the Commission was reorganised for more efficiency to raise its public profile and engender public confidence in the Commission.
Although the Commission continues to work to monitor the human rights situation in the country in accordance with the Constitution and international principles of human rights, the primary responsibility of promoting human rights in the country rests with the Government. As such, all ministries and public offices are obligated to streamline their work to protect and promote both individual and community rights. The Report notes the progress achieved with public authorities considering human rights protection in providing their services to the public and in formulating and implementing regulations.
The Report acknowledges as prerequisites for the enjoyment of human rights that states are based on sound principles of equality and justice. As these basic principles are also prescribed in Islam, the Report observes that human rights promotion and protection will be strengthened further in the Maldives with the introduction of a more robust democracy. The development of good relations between political parties and the Government, the bonding of trust between political parties, and political parties prioritising community and national welfare over personal interests are means, the Report state, which should be emphasised for the functioning of effective democracy.
Human rights must be respected throughout society, and more than this being an individual concern, societal harmony itself, including political and economic stability, depends upon it. Should respect for human rights fail, human rights abuses will increase in society and will consequently endanger basic human integrity. Violence and conflict will prevail, not only stifling community development efforts but every day lives of the people as well.
It is important in maintaining societal harmony that every individual and the Government, especially, strive to protect human rights, and work to establish equality and justice. The Report goes on to state that the Commission will, in this spirit, increase its efforts and work towards the protection, sustenance, and promotion of human rights in the country in accordance with the principles of Islam, the Constitution of the Republic and the Human Rights Commission Act.
The Report expresses concern that, while the Maldives has had a tradition of respect for each other rooted in the principles of Islam, the present trend of violent altercations between groups and gangs, in abuse of community rights, and putting the lives and property of people at risk, is continuing as regular and permissible activities. The Report thus strongly condemns and calls to immediately cease all such acts. The Report declares that those responsible for such acts should not only be sought out and penalised according to the law, but should also be estranged from society. The Report goes on to state that everyone, without exception, must be subject to the rule of law.
The Commission wishes to call to mind the assistance it received from the United Nations, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the Government of Maldives, all of which contributed to the Commission successfully carrying out its mandate in 2007. The Commission also wishes to express its gratitude for receiving from state funds, the necessary resources for it to carry out its legal obligations.
