The Ombudsperson’s Office for Transitional Justice (OTJ) has begun closed hearings on alleged human rights violations in prisons. The OTJ will be holding hearings on alleged human rights violations, inhumane treatment, and torture in prisons that occurred from January 1, 1953, to November 17, 2018.
Speaking at the hearings which will be held from February 26 to March 4, Chief Ombudsperson Abdul Salaam Arif said the main objective of the hearings is to take statements from prisoners in Maafushi Prison. In addition, he said the hearings also aim to reveal the truth about past violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, share information on issues of public interest, raise public awareness of human rights violations, and obtain information on cases investigated by OTJ.
The hearings will be held in two sessions during the morning and afternoon. As such, statements have been taken from four prisoners. 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.