Maldives: HRCM report calls for Prisons Act
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has released a report of its visit to Kaafu Atoll Maafushi Jail on 3 February 2009.
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has released a report of its visit to Kaafu Atoll Maafushi Jail on 3 February 2009.
The visit was conducted following a series of complaints filed at the Commission by the management of Maafushi Jail and parents of detainees regarding the deteriorating situation of the jail and alleged violations of human rights at the facility.
The report includes several recommendations made by HRCM to concerned authorities.
The main recommendation is the immediate establishment of a Prisons Act and a revision of the current Prison Regulation, in accordance with international best practices for the minimum standards in treating persons in detention facilities
Other recommendations include:
- to implement the existing regulation, which according to HRCM findings is currently not being respected
- to assign and re-affirm the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Services the responsibility of regulating and managing the Prisons, as specified under the Prison Regulation
- to bring an end to trafficking of drugs into the prison and its subsequent abuse within its premises, and
- to confiscate all communication devices currently being used and tools which may be used as weapons by some prisoners.
The report has been presented to the concerned authorities including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister for Defense and the President’s Office.
The HRCM has held constructive dialogues with the some of the relevant authorities and the government has assured immediate action to resolve and improve the situation of Maafushi Jail.
Date: 11 February 2009
