The parliament is weighing a proposal to extend the tenure of Niumaath Shafeeg, the Child Rights Ombudsperson, following a formal recommendation from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The measure has been submitted for legislative review and referred to the Committee on Human Rights and Gender. Lawmakers on the committee are expected to evaluate the proposal in the coming days, a process that will determine whether Niumaath remains in office.
Appointed on 23 July 2020, Niumaath received parliamentary approval for an initial five-year term. That tenure is set to conclude on 23 July. The president’s proposal outlines a second five-year term, citing the office’s significance in the protection of children’s rights and welfare throughout the Maldives.
Created under the Child Rights Protection Act, the Ombudsperson’s office has broad oversight responsibilities spanning government and civil institutions. Its mandate includes monitoring the implementation of domestic child rights legislation while also ensuring alignment with international protocols.
Among those international obligations is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a key framework that guides the Ombudsperson’s work. The office is authorised to evaluate government performance against both national and UN standards and to act when discrepancies are found.
The scope of the role also includes the review of actions taken by individuals and organisations entrusted with child protection. The Ombudsperson retains investigatory powers, allowing for independent assessment of compliance and conduct. Remuneration for the position has been set by parliament at USD 2,269.05, comprising a base salary of USD 1,620.63 and a supplementary allowance of USD 648.25.