Committee to monitor the investigation of change of government

Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee has decided to monitor the investigation by independent institutions of the events of 7 February 2012, the day the government changed.

Speaking at the Independent Institutions Committee meeting today, Committee Chairperson and Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu MP Mohamed Nasheed said that the institutions investigating the events of 7 February will be summoned to the Committee, to investigate the proposals submitted to the Committee by Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Bilaydhoo MP and MDP Parliamentary Group member Ahmed Hamza said that cases of brutality of police and defence force are under investigation by the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM); however, no information has been made public on these investigations. He proposed to summon HRCM to the Committee in relation to this issue. However no voting took place regarding producing HRCM at the Committee.

Opposition members do not support the idea of investigating the change of government. Maduvvari MP and DRP Parliamentary Group member Visam Ali said that the introduction of new issues to the Committee has slowed down the progress of other cases. She noted that study of the bill on evidence is still not completed.

Kan’ditheem MP Mohamed Hussain supported Visam and said that despite political issues slowing down progress on the Parliament floor, the Committees should function in a productive manner. He noted that this is not the case due to recent changes in the Committee work.

Committee Chairperson Nasheed said in response that previous issues will also be addressed when questioning the institutions summoned to the Committee regarding the events on 7 February.

Today’s Committee session was concluded by giving the chance to present to the Committee on Monday the questions for the institutions to be summoned to the Committee.