Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) has said that the treatment of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, son MP Faris Maumoon, and son-in-law Moamed Nadheem by the police amounts to torture.
In a series of tweets, the human rights watchdog said they are being held in solitary confinement, with limited access to lawyers, and without legal procedures.
MDN also said they are being refused medication, basic necessities, and family visitation, and called on the police service to stop their inhumane actions.
The treatment of former President @maumoonagayoom @afarismaumoon and @MNadhym by the police warrants torture under the Anti-Torture Act and we call on the Maldives Police Service to stop it immediately; ##MaldivesInCrisis 1/3
— Mv Democracy Network (@MDN_mv) February 14, 2018
They are held in solitary confinement, access to lawyers sporadic and limited without appropriate legal procedures such as amendment of regulations; #MaldivesInCrisis 2/3
— Mv Democracy Network (@MDN_mv) February 14, 2018
Time outside the cells have been refused, medication refused, basic necessities refused and family visitation moved to a practice that convicts are required to follow. Stop torture of detainees! #MaldivesInCrisis 3/3
— Mv Democracy Network (@MDN_mv) February 14, 2018
Former President Gayoom and Nadheem were arrested on the night of February 5, right after the government declared a state of emergency. Faris, who has been repeatedly arrested and released the next day, was taken into police custody again on February 8.
Article 2(g) of the Anti-Torture Act prohibits authorities from keeping prisoners at secret and isolated locations.
