Inquiry commission probing institutional negligence in cases involving children
Preliminary reports have been compiled
Fiyavathi, a children\'s orphanage located in the capital\'s suburban extension
The presidential inquiry commission on child rights violations has begun probing state institutions’ neglect in cases relating to children.
In a statement on Thursday, the commission revealed that they have also begun reviewing the implementation of child rights laws and regulations in the country.
Under the initiation to inspect children’s shelters, orphanages and other facilities related to children, the inquiry commission had conducted visits to five such centers from March 10 to April 14 this year, during which commission members observed the treatment of children accommodated there.
Following inspection of the ‘Kudakudhinge Hiyaa’, commission members had compiled a preliminary report on their findings as well as things that require improvement. The report had been submitted to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on March 26.
The statement goes on to read that the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services had established a plan to be followed in implementing the recommendations noted in the preliminary report, and work is currently underway to enforce it.
The commission has also identified issues within the Asseyri Prison, Dhoonidhoo and the Atolhu Vehi Custodials following visits through March 12 to April 8. This includes health, life risks, treatment of children in these facilities as well as the overall security of these facilities.
Four of the preliminary reports that followed the commission’s findings were shared with the president on June 23 and July 23.
The statement further reads that the commission held discussions regarding their concerns involving services provided to children as well as their safety and security at remand facilities as well as other establishments, during a meeting on September 8.
The inquiry commission had forwarded preliminary reports on its findings regarding Fiyavathi children’s shelter, Dhoonidhoo Custodial and Asseyri Prison to all relevant institutions as well. They include 15 recommendations for improving the condition of Fiyavathi, 11 recommendations for Dhoonidhoo Custodial and Atholhu Vehi custodial as well as 13 recommendations for Asseyri Prison.
A file audit is currently being compiled on all of the cases connected to children that have been lodged at the gender ministry and Maldives Police Service (MPS) over time, in order to identify the procedure followed by the relevant authorities in connection to such cases, the statement goes on to read.
The commission remains committed to ensure relevant institutions are reformed so that services provided for children are enhanced and enforce their recommendations, as soon as possible. Highlighting that they have been facing numerous challenges in the face of the ongoing pandemic, the commission stated that they remain committed to complete their pending tasks, as soon as possible.
The inquiry commission in its statement expressed gratitude to all the relevant institutions and authorities for their constant support.
Tasked with probing actions and assessing the current situation of all cases handled by state institutions mandated to protect children from harm, the presidential commission to inquire into child rights violations was established by the president in February 2020 to safeguard and ensure the protection of child rights and to expedite systematic efforts of rectification.
The commission, comprising of five members, is tasked with probing cases of violence, neglect, abuse and cruelty against children and is mandated to identify the root causes of all forms of violations against children, including motives, where it happens, age groups of perpetrators, socio-economic factors, crime rates, susceptibility to violence, current situation of victims and accountability of state institutions in undertaking their responsibility.
The purpose of the commission is to examine and submit recommendations for appropriate remedial measures to rectify systematic failures, placing instruments of ensuring protection for children. This in turn will enable authorities to take the required action against perpetrators who exploit children.
