Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions has decided on dismissal of Broadcasting Commission Vice President Mohamed Fazeen, and so to forward this motion for a vote on the parliament floor.
Fazeen is accused of sexually harassing a female member of staff at the commission.
Earlier, both Fazeen and the victim were summoned to the commission and questioned regarding the case. With Fazeen requesting an additional chance to respond to the allegations, the committee had scheduled a meeting for today.
However, an email, as well as a letter from Fazeen, was sent to the committee notifying them that Fazeen's lawyer's wife is unwell, and hence he could not attend today's meeting.
Although it was raised in the committee meeting whether an additional meeting would be scheduled, voting was asked on whether to forward the case to parliament floor.
The motion was passed, with the dismissal of Fazeen now riding on the parliamentary vote.
Parliament's Secretary General Fathimath Niusha read out the letter sent by the committee in parliament today. It said that a case of sexual harassment against a female member of staff of the commission was submitted to parliament by the staff member and the commission on January 9.
After talking to commission members and some staff members of the commission, the Committee noted that the victim had said that on multiple instances, she had been physically touched without consent. Niusha further read that another commission staff member had also stated that she, too, had been addressed using offensive language.
Commission members also said that the case has been sent to the Commission's Committee on Sexual Harassment and Abuse.
The Committee on Independent Institutions highlighted that it is socially unacceptable behaviour and disrespectful for a person in the post of Vice President of the Commission to touch a staff member and use offensive language with them. They asserted that these acts are against the ethical standards that must be upheld by a member of the commission.
Based on statements received, the committee believes that Fazeen has called members of staff outside of work hours and used offensive language.