Lawmakers from main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern that members who have been accused of corruption are on the Human Rights Commission (HRCM).
Hinnavaru MP Jeehan Mahmood on Tuesday proposed an amendment to the commission's law which would make it mandatory for members of the commission to disclose their financial statements. Debating the bill, Jeehan said the commission should be working for the human rights of the whole populace as opposed to favoring certain divisions.
However, Jeehan noted that some members who currently sit on the commission have been accused of being involved in corruption, including a member who was accused of alleged of acts of corruption amounting to MVR 24 million during his time at the National Disaster Management Center.
Jeehan's statement was in reference to HRCM member Moosa Ali Kaleyfaanu, who was appointed to the commission during President Abdulla Yameen's government. He worked at the NDMC from 2007-2010.
"We would not have independent organizations if such members remain [as commission members]. We must dismiss such members. We need to make it mandatory for HRCM members to disclose their financial statements in order to identify such characters", Jeehan remarked.
Jeehan said while disclosing financial statements of the members alone is not sufficient, she believes changes should be brought to the bill during the committee stage such that all individuals working at HRCM are mandated to disclose their financial statements. She further called to amend the laws of other independent entities in a similar fashion.
During the debate, Maafanu North Constituency's member Imthiyaz Fahmy said that he was present during the committee interview of the member in question, and had inquired regarding the alleged corruption. The commission member had stated that while the case is at the Prosecutor General (PG)'s office, he had been appointed as a member of the commission nonetheless.
Imthiyaz said it is unacceptable for an individual who is alleged to have been involved in corruption to be a HRCM member. While such members sit on the commission today, the members of the commission turned a blind eye to the countless acts carried out by the former administration that violated human rights, said Imthiyaz.
"It is the responsibility of the commission to assess the society and identify violations of human rights, instead of instantly claiming insufficient evidence and covering up the issue when a case is presented. Dismissing members with backgrounds of corruption is also important", Imthiyaz said.
Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad also expressed concerns regarding the appointment of members who have been accused of corruption.
He noted that while members are being held answerable for their actions through the law today, the procedures necessary prior to appointing them were never practiced.
"I do not believe that independent organizations, courts and civil service offices should be reconstituted the way the cabinet changes with a new government. However, taking the current situation into consideration, I believe we cannot bring about reform without reconstituting all entities", said Ziyad.
