Malé, Maldives – The Parliament of Maldives has passed a report seeking to prosecute officers responsible for violence against man in their custody under the Anti-torture Act.
The report presented by the Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) was passed unanimously with 42 votes.
On 6 September 2020, Ahmed Siraj, Sweetheart, L. Kalaidhoo, arrested under suspicion of theft was tortured in custody. The victim Siraj stated that he was taken into a room at Isdhoo Police Station and tortured to force an admission of guilt.
While the accused officers deny the allegations, the 241 committee report states that the police reports indicate injuries sustained in custody.
The 241 committee thereby recommends prosecuting the officers in question for criminal offences under the Anti-torture Act of Maldives. They also recommend a full criminal investigation regarding the case instead of internal disciplinary measures by the Police.
The committee report urged the Maldives Police Service to establish a monitoring system to ensure that the rights of a detainee are protected while in custody.
