Dr. Aishath Rameela, who resigned from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet last year amid a battle with cancer, has been appointed as a member of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) on Wednesday.
Rameela, who resigned from the role of Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in December 2024, had been nominated by President Muizzu earlier in October to replace Mariyam Muna, the president of HRCM, whose term at the rights watchdog expired on November 30th.
The Parliament greenlighted Rameela’s appointment for the post with the unanimous votes of 64 lawmakers in attendance back in October.
Subsequently, President Muizzu officially appointed Rameela for the post on Wednesday, who was officially sworn in at a special ceremony held at the President’s Office this morning.
Former Agriculture Minister Dr. Aishath Rameel appointed a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) on December 3, 2025. (Photo/President's Office)
Rameela’s oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim.
Following the oath ceremony, the President presented her with her letter of appointment.
A PhD holder, Rameela was appointed to head the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare – a new ministry – on November 17, 2023.
On November 29, 2023, Rameela announced that she had been diagnosed with advanced metastatic serous papillary carcinoma - a highly malignant form of ovarian cancer.
She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy abroad as part of her treatment, before she tendered her resignation last year.
The five-member HRCM is currently composed of:
Mohamed Shafeeg Mahmood, vice president
Samau Ahmed Najeeb
Ismail Habeeb Abdul Raheem
Ahmed Magsoom