Three new members have been appointed to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM).

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih presented Aminath Shifaath Abdul Razzaq, Moomina Waheed and Dr Ahmed Adham Abdulla their letters of appointment, on Tuesday.

Their oath was administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ahmed Muthasim Adnan during a ceremony held at the President’s Office.

The new appointees received approval from the People’s Majlis on Sunday and were among the eight names forwarded for the vacancies at the commission.

Their names were approved by the committee on human rights and gender after further review which included interview sessions.

Previously having served as the Acting Secretary-General of HRCM and filling the post of Director of Research and Monitoring at the commission most recently, Shifaath holds a Master of Criminology from the University of Sydney, Australia.

A graduate of the University of Sydney, Australia, Moomina earlier served as the Human Resources Manager at Tree Top Hospital and most recently served as a consultant on the delivery of the labour and employment mandate at the Ministry of Economic Development. Moomina, who holds a Masters of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific), also served in different posts at the commission for nine years.

The third appointee is a recipient of the President's Award for Achieving the Highest Academic Qualification, and of the Australia Leadership Award. Dr. Adham holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Law (International Law) from the University of Wollongong, Australia. He previously served as a Lecturer for Public International Law at Villa College.

The new appointments were made under the powers vested to the president under Section 5(a) of the Human Rights Commission Act (Act 6/2006), which stipulates that the members of HRCM shall be appointed by the president after approval from the People’s Majlis.

Application opportunity was opened for four membership posts at the commission on July 6 after the resignation of three members and the expiration of one member’s term, set for September 12.

Aminath Enas, Aishath Afreen Mohamed, and Moosa Ali Kaleyfaanu resigned in July amid impeachment motions at the parliament.

Vice President Mohamed Zahid was removed from position through a parliamentary vote, on July 22.

According to the Human Rights Commission Act of the Maldives, the commission must comprise of five members.