The application opportunity for a vacancy at the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), has been extended.

The opportunity for membership at the commission was reopened by the President’s Office on March 31 after nominations by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih which were earlier sent for committee review at the People’s Majlis, failed to receive approval. The nominations were reviewed by the parliament’s Human Rights and Gender Committee.

In a publication on Tuesday, the President’s Office revealed that they will now be accepting applications through April 15.

Application forms are available for download at the President’s Office official website as well as through their front desk and interested individuals have been urged to submit applications and relevant documents from 9:30am to 12:30pm on April 14 and 15.

The deadline was extended to accommodate President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s decision to declare April 11 and April 12 as public holidays owing to Local Council Elections scheduled for upcoming Saturday, as well as the beginning of Ramadan next Tuesday.

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

President Solih forwarded nominations for parliamentary review last year following the dismissal of an HRCM member. HRCM’s Vice President Mohamed Zahid was removed from the position through a parliamentary vote, in July 2020.

The president made appointments to the commission in September 2020; Aminath Shifaath Abdul Razzaq, Moomina Waheed and Dr Ahmed Adham Abdulla.

Appointments to HRCM are 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 parliamentary approval.

Aminath Enas, Aishath Afreen Mohamed, and Moosa Ali Kaleyfaanu resigned in July 2020 amid impeachment motions at the parliament.