HRCM instructs Felidhoo Council to revoke ‘unconstitutional’ decision

Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has instructed the V. Felidhoo Council to revoke its decision to deny services to individuals and their families who have outstanding payments to the council, calling the decision “unconstitutional.”

The Felidhoo Council had made the controversial decision last Wednesday.

In a statement on Monday, HRCM stressed that rights and freedoms guaranteed under by constitutional cannot be constricted in any way.

The rights watchdog said that neither the Decentralization Act or any other law empowers councils deny public services.

HRCM said they found the council’s decision deeply concerning.

The commission instructed the council to revoke its decision, and find a solution to the issue they face in accordance with the laws.

The Felidhoo Council’s decision also sparked concern from the Local Government Authority (LGA), which, on Sunday, stressed that decisions and regulations formulated by councils must not infringe on the constitutional rights of any citizen.

The authority said that individuals who fail to settle outstanding payments must be penalized in accordance with agreements made with said individuals, and stressed that councils do not have the authority to constrict fundamental rights that do not fall under agreements.