Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) on Tuesday ordered Maldives Correctional Services to move the prisoners in Male' Jail Annex - Remand Jail to a safe location and close the remand jail within next 48 hours.
In a news statement released by the HRCM, they revealed that Correctional Services was asked to close the remand jail on 11th April after inspection of the remand jail. While it was informed on 15th April by Correctional Services that the jail had been closed, HRCM found 25 prisoners were detained at the facility when an inspection was conducted on Tuesday.
Revealing that the condition of the prison was worse than it was when inspected earlier, HRCM said the jail had old metal, sacks of cement and aggregate stored at the facility. The cells were covered in thick dust and was unhygienic, said HRCM.
The commission further stated that they made the order to close the jail under the powers assured to the commission by the law, which makes it mandatory for citizens and authorities to follow the orders given by the commission regarding an issue.
"As HRCM's duty, we are obliged to order to close the Male jail Annex remand jail in 48 hours. We have informed that those detained at the facility should be moved to a safe location and the remand jail should be shut down", said HRCM.
Male' Remand Jail.
