The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) says that they were unable to bring back the children whose parents were incarcerated in Afghanistan as their parents had not allowed it.

A note by the father Ali Shafiu accusing Maldivian police of torture and inhumane acts also claims that his children are also stuck in jail due to lack of assistance from Maldivian authorities.

Acknowledging the note circulating online which led to police’s denial of inhumane treatment of the family, HRCM said that this is an ongoing investigation and that they had met with the family on several occasions to discuss the situation.

Noting that the case is of highest priority, HRCM said that it has been following all developments in the case since it was first brought to their attention.

While Shafiu and his wife have been convicted on terror charges and jailed for 21 and 20 years respectively, HRCM said that their children are being raised in prison.

HRCM further highlighted that work was conducted to bring back the children to Maldives with the support of Afghan authorities, but that it was halted after the parents refused to cooperate.

However, the two are to have had a change of heart since which has been relayed to the relevant authorities. HRCM added that it is closely monitoring the ongoing efforts to bring the children back, but that obstacles such as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been delaying the process.

Further, Afghan’s human rights commission had paid a visit to the family and shared updates on their situation following a request by HRCM.

The commission also revealed that they have made requests to move the children to a safer environment, but that there have been obstacles to this as well.

In a statement released earlier, police said that they learnt of the arrest of Shafiu, his wife and four children through Interpol on 18 November 2018.

In the trial that ensued following their arrest, Shafiu was found guilty of terrorism and sentenced to 21 years while his wife was later sentenced to 20.

Shafiu’s family is to have departed to Pakistan in October 2018, after traveling to Sri Lanka for medical purposes in June that year. They are to have entered Afghanistan through Pakistan.

Shafiu had attempted to flee to Syria with his ex-wife in February 2015. Noting that they were stopped at Velana International Airport, police said that he was arrested in September that year over allegations of weapons’ possession. He was released in January 2016, due to lack of evidence.