Committee to summon four institutions regarding Ibthihaal

The Parliament Committee on Oversight of the Government has decided to summon four state institutions for questioning following the death of three-year-old Mohamed Ibthihaal due to suspected abuse in Vaavu Rakeedhoo.

This was decided at a meeting of the committee held on Sunday.

The four institutions that were decided to be summoned to the committee are Rakeedhoo Council, Ministry of Law and Gender, Family and Child Protection Unit, and Maldives Police Service. It was also decided to summon any additional institution to the committee, if further information is required.

This has been proposed to the committee by ruling party MP, Hoarafushi constituency MP Mohamed Ismail. He proposed to get information from these four institutions without obstructing their investigations, and then summon these four institutions after evaluating the information.

Speaking at the committee meeting, Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam said that while children are protected under the Acts formulated in Maldives, the case of Ibthihaal’s death must be investigated to see negligent parties.

MP of Hoarafushi Mohamed Ismail said that Government will investigate the case of Ibthihaal and all the negligent parties must be punished. He added that all the responsible parties are investigating the case and he recommended to summon the institutions with their investigation reports to the committee.

Spokesperson of the committee, MP of Villufushi said that there are rumors saying that Parliament does not do anything regarding such issues, but he stressed on the point that Parliament has already made all the required Acts on such issues.