Discussions must be prioritised in order to restore peace: HRCM

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has advised to prioritise holding discussions in order to end the current violence in the country.

In a statement released by HRCM today, they said that the protest last Wednesday left several people injured and property damaged. Police stations and Court buildings in various islands were set on fire, resulting in the interruption of services and loss of human rights of many groups.

“We are investigating human rights-related issues involved in these incidents. We advise that no violence is imposed on those arrested, and that they are allowed their rights,” HRCM says in their statement.

“These are not incidents that should take place in an Islamic and democratic country,” they said.

The protest held by MDP last Wednesday subsequent to the change of the government turned violent, resulting in serious unrest in Male’ and other islands.

HRCM had planned to hold peace talks with 13 political parties regarding political turmoil sparked by the arrest of Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed, on 7 February - the day the government changed.