Ombudsperson's Office for Transitional Justice (OTJ) has revealed that it has already investigated a number of economic and social cases.
OTJ was established in 2020 to investigate 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 OTJ runs from January 1, 1953, until November 17, 2018. OOTJ is tasked with completing the investigation of its cases within two years and submitting the charges to the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) or the Attorney General's Office (AGO) if required. A total of 489 cases were submitted to the office during the three-month period that opened on June 13, 2021. As such, 455 cases were decided to be heard within the jurisdiction of the office and 111 cases have been investigated.
OTJ said it will do its utmost to complete the investigation of the outstanding cases in accordance with the law and regulations in the coming days. The office is also working with state agencies to pursue reconciliation as per Article 27 of Chapter II of the Transitional Justice Act.
OTJ also said the office has also decided to investigate seven cases identified as issues related to the majority of the public including the most high-profile case of human rights violations that occurred during the depopulation of Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in 1962.