The Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis and Member of Parliament for the Dhiggaru constituency, Ahmed Nazim, has called upon the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) to embark on a new chapter dedicated to providing the public with accurate and truthful information.
Nazim made this appeal while speaking at an extraordinary session of the People’s Majlis, convened outside its regular term to discuss the mandate and role of the HRCM.
Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim emphasized that the Human Rights Commission is a vital institution established out of necessity to guarantee human rights. He noted that the commission’s primary objective is to ensure that human rights in the Maldives are protected in accordance with international standards. He further stressed that the HRCM must operate with full independence and autonomy.
Highlighting that members are appointed to the HRCM every five years, the Deputy Speaker remarked that although every administration has the opportunity to appoint members to the commission, no member should exhibit any political bias or influence.
Nazim further noted that the spread of misinformation is one of the most significant challenges facing the Maldives today, and the HRCM plays a crucial role in addressing this issue. In this regard, he stated that the commission must take a proactive role in providing verified information concerning the health status of individuals at the time of their arrest during protests, as well as addressing any subsequent reports or rumors regarding their well-being.
“On behalf of this Parliament, I call upon the newly appointed members and the Human Rights Commission to begin a new chapter. I urge you to take a more prominent role in disclosing truthful information to the public,” the Deputy Speaker said.
Nazim also observed that in the current age of social media, it is imperative for the HRCM’s work to be carried out comprehensively and in real-time. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of commission members participating in the observation of protests in an official capacity that clearly identifies their role.
