Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef has come under fire for disclosing private details regarding the life of the 14-year-old boy who went missing from State custody last week.
Shaim Abdulla, 14, Dhafthar 2997, went missing from the children’s shelter in Vilimale’ where he was placed for an assessment on June 18 after he was removed from an "environment of crime" for his protection.
Speaking at a press conference last Wednesday, Minister Shidhatha detailed Shaim’s entire case history; starting from the point his situation first came to attention of Gender Ministry in a negligence report against his family on June 10, 2009 to his experiences in and out of State care and foster care.
She also said that Shaim is believed to have escaped through a window of the room next to his.
Shidhatha came under immediate fire following the press conference.
She has been accused of re-victimizing and compromising Shaim’s rights in her attempt provide an explanation over why a child under State care went missing.
Those who have voiced criticism against Shidhatha include Deputy Speaker of Parliament, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla.
“Details of this child should not have been exposed. That he has been vulnerable to a lifetime of crime is all the more reason for the State to protect him. Exposing him violates his right to a life of dignity. Whatever situation he is in right now, he did not choose this. He is 14,” said Eva.