Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen has assured that the government will not obstruct the investigations of Independent Institutions such as the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

He made this statement while speaking at the function held last night, hosted by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) to mark the International Human Rights Day.

He said that the government will not attempt to cover up any issues related to investigations of Independent Institutions, and that all citizens are equal before the law, and that the party members included in the government coalition are also equal before the law.

Referring to the issue of human rights, he highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of other people, and said that instead, we constantly hear people talking about their own needs, interests and development. He stressed that the government and parliament should pay attention to these issues.

Deen said that in 2011 and 2012, about 60 children were sexually abused and about 100 women were exposed to domestic violence.

He said that these figures do not portray a true picture of the actual situation, as several women are too ashamed to talk about such issues in public. He encouraged those women to talk about their problems.

“In 2011 and 2012, about 60 children were sexually abused. In 2011 and 2012, about 100 women were exposed to domestic violence. These two figures are not real. People hide these problems because they are ashamed, because people may not believe them, or for other reasons. I urge these people to speak up. Talk about your problems, to prevent such incidents from repeating in the society,” he said.

A video report on the work of the HRCM was shown, and President of HRCM MariyamAzra Ahmed also spoke at last night’s function.