The Office of the Ombudsperson for Transitional Justice (OOTJ) has revealed investigation has been completed for the majority of the cases received by the office.
OOTJ revealed it has probed 452 cases submitted to the office in accordance with the Transitional Justice Act. The OOTJ stated investigation has been completed for more than half of these cases, noting investigation reports are currently being prepared for most of these cases. The OOTJ added none of the completed cases require charges to be pressed.
Furthermore, OOTJ said 53 victim support sessions have been conducted in relation to cases investigated by the office. OOTJ also stated it is preparing recommendations and other relevant documents to be submitted to the relevant authorities in relation to the completed cases.
OOTJ was established following the ratification of the Transitional Justice Act on December 17, 2020. It functions as an autonomous legal identity vested with powers to communicate, file a lawsuit or receive court charges under the Transitional Justice Act. The act sanctions investigations into past wrongdoings by state authorities, heads of agencies, or individuals in power, which resulted in human rights violations.
The eligibility timeframe for cases that may be investigated by OOTJ runs from January 1, 1953, until November 17, 2018. OOTJ is tasked with completing the investigation of its cases within two years and submit the charges to the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) or the Attorney General's Office (AGO) if required.
The most high-profile case being investigated by OOTJ is the case of human rights violations that occurred during the depopulation of Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in 1962. Public hearings have been conducted in Thinadhoo in relation to the case, and OOTJ is preparing to conduct another public hearing in Male’ for the case.