Maldives: HRC calls for prosecution in street violence cases

The human rights commission (HRCM) has expressed concern that cases of gang-related violence will not be properly investigated and prosecuted, following gang leaders declaring peace.

Five leaders of street gangs involved in a spate of attacks in the last four months held the briefing to say they have decided to end the violence and work with authorities.

Describing the recent street violence as “crimes against humanity”, the HRCM is now calling for immediate prosecution after the office of the attorney general (AGO) sent 16 cases back to police the day after the gang leaders’ announcement.

A statement issued by the HRCM said: “The announcement of a cessation to the violence publicly should not absolve those who committed crimes from due punishment.

“It is worrying that steps have not been taken against those who committed such crimes even till now, and they have been left to stop the violence of their own accord,” the HRCM continued.

The AGO has now returned cases involving a total of 46 suspects, including those of ten men accused in two recent gang-related murders. It says it hopes to seek “more evidence” from gang members on the cases – though it could not confirm all the cases had actually been incomplete.

But the HRCM says it concerned by the cases being sent back and have called for prosecution “as soon as possible”.

On Sunday, the gang leaders of Buru, Kuda Henveiru, Bosnia, Masoudi and Petral Park said they had resolved the conflict and were willing to work with the government on health and youth projects.

The gang leaders denied any involvement with politics, despite several accounts indicating some were paid to disrupt protests in the past. Other sources have told Minivan News politicians had offered their friends money in exchange for starting fights.

Between 10 and 20 gang members arrested over street violence have been transferred from police custody to house arrest or released over the last month, according to group leaders.

Many of the suspects said they had been beaten by police whilst in detention, but gang leaders did not wish to comment on any wrongdoing by police.

Date 10 June 2008

Source: Minivan News