OTJ to hold closed hearings on inhumane treatment and torture in prisons

The Ombudsperson’s Office for Transitional Justice (OTJ) is set to hold closed hearings to collect testimony on human rights violations, inhumane treatment, and torture that have taken place in Maldivian prisons and jails.

According to OTJ, the closed hearings will collect testimony from people who have lodged cases with the OTJ and people who have experienced torture and rights violations in prisons and jails.

Those who wish to testify have been asked to share their information with the OTJ by 02:00 pm Wednesday, November 23.

OTJ said they are holding the hearings to identify infringements on human rights and basic freedoms due to systematic acts throughout the arrest and detention process.

OTJ said they will make the assessments based on Maldivian laws and international human rights conventions.

The Office of the Ombudsperson for Transitional Justice is an autonomous legal identity vested with powers to communicate, file a lawsuit or receive court charges relating to circumstances addressed through the Transitional Justice Act – systemic violations of rights by state institutions.