Every single member of HRCM must be removed, says MP Wisam

Every single member of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) must to be removed, says Gan constituency MP Mohamed Wisam.

He said this at Monday’s parliament sitting, during the debate on the report prepared by the prisons audit committee.

While conducting an audit of the prisons is part of the incumbent president’s pledges, a seven-member committee was formed in December last year.

The committee publicized its 290-page report in May, detailing on prison conditions and highlights the current issues in the system such as overcrowding, neglecting the rights of prisoners, and sub-par facilities.

While it noted instances where institutions such as HRCM had failed to carry out their duties and responsibilities, HRCM has criticized the report for not including information it had provided.

Regarding the matter, MP Wisam said that the current state of the country’s prison “is due to HRCM’s negligence” and that they must be removed for the reform work to be successful.

The lawmaker heavily criticized the member of HRCM, and emphasized that a person must not be treated in an inhumane manner “whether arrested on allegations or serving a sentence.”

The lawmaker also criticized the report, for lacking details on the numerous deaths of convicts in the past five years.

Noting that their families are still grieving, he said that these deaths were due to negligence.

As such, he noted the death of Abdulla Rasheed, one of those arrested during the 2015 May Day rally.

While the home ministry has formed an additional committee to monitor the implementation of the report, MP Wisam that he too will be closely observing their work.