HRCM reviewed all cases in one month at the start of new term

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) have announced that they have reviewed all cases lodged with them after members assumed the commission's fifth term in September 2020.

The HRCM made the announcement through their annual report for the year 2020. Four members of the HRCM's fifth term took part in a press conference to detail the contents of the report, stating that all cases lodged with the HRCM had been reviewed in one month after the start of the commission's fifth term on 8 September 2020.

HRCM members also highlighted other efforts on behalf of the commission, including strengthening the case management system and improving coordination with other authorities in reviewing cases submitted to the HRCM. Members noted that all cases lodged with the HRCM had been attended to before the end of September 2020.

HRCM members detailed that the commission had independently reviewed 157 cases, in addition to 510 cases submitted to the commission by other parties. The commission noted an increase in the number of reports filed for cases related to children, and rights abuses of workers within the work environment. Further stressing the gravity of the rights violations against foreigners and expat workers, the HRCM revealed that a national inquiry is set to be initiated this year to better protect the rights of foreigners and expats in Maldives.

In addition to this, the HRCM announced that they would be working to improve access to and equity in human rights across the Maldives, and that an Integrated Human Rights Programme was currently on the pipeline for the HRCM as a future project. The programme will be conducted under a community engagement strategy and will involve encouraging active participation from members of different age groups and a