MDP Rights' Committee to conduct study on custodial deaths

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is to carry out a study on custodial deaths.

At a press conference held on Saturday, chair of MDP's Rights' Committee and Malé City Council deputy mayor Shamau Shareef noted the 'concerning' increase in custodial deaths recently.

Shamau said that the commission is doing further research on the matter and that the party will release a report afterwards.

He added that one of the main reasons for doing so is to include possible solutions in MDP's manifesto for the upcoming presidential elections.

Shamau noted that families have expressed concern over the lack of adequate medical care for those that require permanent treatment or have permanent ailments.

Shamau also called on the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) to properly investigate the previous custodial deaths.

Also at Saturday's press conference, MDP Rights' Committee member Ahmed Adham said that the negligence of the Maldives Correctional Service has been reported in the 10 recent custodial deaths.

Adham- who was recently detained- that the conditions in jail is appalling.

Maldives Correctional Service on Friday confirmed the death of an inmate serving a life sentence for drug trafficking; the 30-year-old had served less than seven years.

Galolhu-South constituency MP Ahmed Mahloof was recently charged with false reporting after tweeting on the conditions of jails in the country.

"Detainees are not dying in Maafushi Prison, they are being killed. They are being killed by not providing them with the necessary medical treatment. When 10 detainees die within a year, it’s a serious issue. Commissioner Shiyan and DOP Salman must take full responsibility. I don’t know how many times I’ve made this complaint while I was jailed", Mahloof had said via twitter.

He is currently under house arrest as his trials proceed at the Criminal Court.