President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) had failed to fulfill their duties within the past few years and stressed that the incumbent administration is willing to fully support the commission in becoming an integrious commission.

Speaking at a special ceremony held on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, President Solih stated that the commission was founded 16 years ago with a very important objective, but that it has neglected to adequately fulfill its responsibilities in the past few years. He attributed this failure to influence exerted by the previous regime. Nevertheless, he gave his assurance of supporting the commission in its path to becoming the independent and integrious commission it was founded as.

On the topic of human rights, the president recognized the state's highest priority as protecting and ensuring the rights of every citizen. As such, he noted the importance of an independent commission to ensure the rights are protected in the circumstance of the state violating the rights of its citizens.

He went onto state that the newly introduced transitional justice bill seeks to eliminate the ongoing practice of government officials violating human rights while in office and going scot-free without any penalty.

Further, he reiterated the incumbent administration's commitment to ensure and protect the human rights of every citizen, and establish a society with fulfilled by their island-life.

President Solih highlighted the inherent right to freedom of speech as the most basic human right as it provides the average person the power to hold the state accountable.

Referring to the previous regime's violation of freedom of speech especially of the media, President Solih claimed that an administration that has the citizens' best interests at heart would be afraid of providing citizens with the freedom of speech. As such, he stressed that neither him nor his government has any such fears.