Ombudsperson's Office for Transitional Justice (OTJ) has declared its abolition coinciding with the transition of government on November 17.
OTJ clarified that all cases lodged with the office were initially expected to be resolved by November 17 of the previous year, according to the law. However, due to a substantial caseload and delays in hearings, the deadline was extended to November 17 this year.
OTJ reported receiving a total of 488 cases, with two-thirds already resolved and the remainder still pending. However, details regarding the handling of outstanding cases were not disclosed.
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 Parliament of the Maldives approved the creation the office with a legal framework, in line with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's pledge to delivering justice for human rights violations in the Maldives. Public confidence in such commissions has diminished despite the efforts, partly due to the unresolved nature of key cases. It underscores a perceived deficiency in effectively addressing historical injustices within state institutions.