The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has stated that it cannot adequately perform its duties and responsibilities with the budget allocated for the commission in next year’s state budget.
The proposed state budget for the upcoming year is MVR 37.4 billion. A budget of MVR 24.9 million has been allocated for HRCM.
While speaking regarding the allocation at the Parliament’s Budget Committee, commission member Moominaa Waheed said the commission initially requested a budget of MVR 39 million for the upcoming year. The amount was later revised to MVR 30 million following discussion with the Finance Ministry, said Moominaa. However, the proposed state budget that was submitted for parliament approval allocated MVR 24 million for the commission, an amount which is not adequate for the commission to fulfill its legal responsibilities, she said.
HRCM said office space rent alone is a monthly expenditure of MVR 162,000, while a large amount is incurred for both its regional office in Addu city and its building in capital Male’. The newly proposed budget will cause challenges in conducting jail visits and assessing its condition, said HRCM.
Approximately 80 employees work at HRCM.
