Authorities restricting rights of arrestees, including right to legal representation: Hisaan

Maldives Police Service (MPS) is restricting the rights of those being arrested since the declaration of a state of emergency, claims prominent lawyer Hisaan Hussain.

In an interview during RaajjeTV’s coverage of the current state of the country on Saturday, Hisaan highlighted that the right to legal representation is guaranteed to any individual that is arrested or detained, under the Maldives Constitution.

However, Hisaan noted that this right is being restricted by authorities as well.

Noting that the police have denied doing so, she added that the police’s actions show that they are working to give “limited assistance” to those detained and accused.

“For one thing, and individual taken into custody on a Thursday is being given access to a lawyer on Sunday. Lawyers are blocked from meeting their clients on Friday and Saturday, as it’s the weekend. I do not believe that a right guaranteed under the Constitution can be deprived because it is a holiday. This is not allowed in any laws,” said Hisaan.

She emphasized that authorities are able to bring those arrested for their remand hearing even during the weekend, but that lawyers are having to advise their clients without a proper meeting.

“It is worse for those arrested under the state of emergency declaration,”she added.