The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives notes that during the Criminal Court proceedings against President Mohamed Nasheed on charges of terrorism, there were concerns regarding the due process of law, in that certain rights as stipulated in the Constitution as well as in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights were not fully ensured.
In order to fully execute the Commission's obligations under the HRCM act and as well as to partake in the advisory role afforded to the Commission under SC ruling 2009/SC-A/24,the Commission filed for permission under Article 23(a) of the HRCM Act, for the opportunity to bring these issues to the attention of the court on 11 March 2015.The Commission notes with regret, that this opportunity was not afforded to the Commission at any stage of the trial.
Further attempts by the Commission, including an official communication sent to the Criminal Court requesting facilitation to monitor the trial proceedings, were unsuccessful. Subsequently, the Commission notes that while this was an impediment to fulfilling the legal obligations of the Commission, the Commission will continue to take every available measure to pursue these issues in the appeal phase.
The Commission also calls upon the public and the State authorities to observe restraint and calm, and to put national harmony at the forefront whilst exercising the rights, and to act within legal boundaries, in this time of turmoil.