The Ombudsperson’s Office for Transitional Justice (OTJ) has announced that it will begin closed hearings on alleged human rights violations in prisons in February.
The OTJ will be holding the hearings on alleged human rights violations, inhumane treatment and torture in prisons that occurred from January 1, 1953, to November 17, 2018. The OTJ will be holding the hearings from February 26 to March 3 to take statements from prisoners in Maafushi Prison. Further hearings are scheduled to be held in Malé City and information on the hearings will be made public through the OTJ’s website and social media platforms.
During the hearings, OTJ will examine whether there had been systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms as a result of systematic deliberate actions during the various stages of arrest and detention within its jurisdiction. The hearings will allow the petitioners as well as others who have experienced such incidents to participate in the hearings and gather information. Additionally, the office will consider compliance with domestic laws, rules, and regulations to guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the constitution and to prohibit acts of torture, as well as international treaties to which the country is a party.