HRCM: 7,498 human rights violations reported in 2018

7,498 human rights violations were reported to the Human Reports Commission of Maldives in 2018.

In an addressed published on occasion of Human Rights Day being marked this Monday, President of HRCM Aminath Enas wrote that the commission received reports of 7,498 human rights violations so far this 2018, out of which it has completed investigations into 7,341 cases.

Enas said the commission has conducted several initiatives to improve human rights in Maldives over the past 15 years, including several crucial researches based on the reports of the violations it received in 2018 alone.

The researches run by HRCM in 2018 includes the Rights Side of Life research, the rapid assessment on the housing shortage in Maldives, research on causes for increase in crime in Maldivian society, assessment on situation of disabled Maldivians, research on reproductive health, and research on awareness of child rights.

“Based on these researches, the commission has run awareness programs on human rights and responsibilities, and programs to promote human rights and empower the community to protect human rights,” reads the address.

Enas wrote that the commission has also evaluated existing and new laws, regulations, administrative policies and general policies from a human rights perspective and submitted its recommendations to relevant State authorities.

“In addition, the commission has submitted reports on the State’s implementation of mandate under the international human rights resolutions Maldives is part of to the assessment and review committees, disseminated information to working groups and special rapporteurs established within the UN human rights system, and sent reports under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to the Human Rights Council on two occasions,” wrote Enas.

Enas said the goal of the HRCM was to provide its services as closely as possible to the Maldivian community and widen its scope in order to achieve its objectives.

This is the 70th Human Rights Day since the Universal Human Rights Declaration was passed by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948.

The slogen for this year is "'Be the Leader you are looking for'. Stand up for Human Rights".