The following press release was sent to the three daily newspapers of Maldives but all three refused to publish the statement.

 

Quick Translation

 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMSSION OF MALDIVES

MALE, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES

 

PRESS RELEASE 20 SEPTEMBER 2004

 

Paragraph 1

The Human Rights Commission has decided to reexamine the conditions of those detained by the Government in connection with the incidents that occurred in Male’ on the 12th and 13th of last August.

 

Paragraph 2

The Commission’s first observation of the conditions of those detained following the incident in August was undertaken by sending commission members to Maafushi Prison and to Dhoonidhoo on 23 August. On that occasion the commission met with 19 detainees out of the 59 detained in Dhoonidhoo and 21 detained in Maafushi at that time. Among those met at Dhoonidhoo there were 7 members of the Special Majlis and a member of the Human Rights Commission.

 

Paragraph 3

This second observation will pay attention to ascertain whether the observations noticed on the first visit had been improved.

 

Paragraph 4

Observations noticed on the first occasion include:

 

1.      That 4 detainees were kept in each cell in Maafushi Prison; that the cells did not have proper ventilation and that the cells were very hot during the daytime.

 

2.      That women detainees were detained in Dhoonidhoo but there were no women guards.

 

3.      Given that there were detainees suffering from diabetes, heart and psychological illnesses held in Dhoonidhoo, a medical attendant was not present in the location in a permanent basis.

 

4.      That there was discrimination in the way detainees were treated and held.

 

Paragraph 5

Among what was acknowledged following interviews with those detained include:

 

  1. That the detainees reported that disproportionate force was used during the arrest of the members of the Special Majlis and other detainees.

 

  1. That the detainees were kept blindfolded and handcuffed behind their backs when they were first arrested and held in Male’ and some reported that they were cuffed around there feet as well. That the detainees were transferred from Male to Girifushi whilst being handcuffed and blindfolded.

 

  1. That some detainees reported that they were beaten up and maltreated.

 

  1. That the detainees reported extreme verbal abuse was used against them.

 

  1. That men and women detainees reported that they were sexually abused.

 

Paragraph 6

That the Human Rights Commission considers these acts as inhuman and had expressed concern to the authorities. That the Commission had recommended an independent investigation to look into the way arrests, detention and treatment were carried out regarding the detainees.

 

Paragraph 7

The Human Rights Commission was established by an executive order. Since the mandate of the Commission is to look into human rights violations the Commission is pursuing its mandate so that no undue influence could be held upon the Commission from any side and that the Commission could work as independently as possible.

 

Paragraph 8

That it had been more that a month since the President declared a State of Emergency and that some of the fundamental rights of those detained in suspicion of involvement in the 12 and 13 August incident had been derogated. Therefore the Commission desires an end to the State of Emergency at the earliest. These desires of the Commission had been duly expressed to the authorities.

 

Paragraph 9

The Human Rights Commission is extremely concerned that the Maldivian arena is under Emergency Law.

 

20 September 2004

 

ENDS