HRCM - Our Role

How we were formed

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives was first established on 10 December 2003 as an independent and autonomous statutory body created by Decree by the President of the Republic of the Maldives with the right to sue and be sued. The Commission then established had nine members including a Chairperson.Until the ratification of the present Human Rights Commission Act on 18th August 2005, making the HRCM a constitutionally established autonomous body, the HRCM functioned under regulations promulgated under powers vested with the President of the Republic of Maldives in Article 42 (e) of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives to determine the powers, duties and responsibilities of the HRCM.In order to give the Commission the constitutional backing and thus autonomy from the Government of the Republic of Maldives; pluralism, including in membership; a broad mandate based on universal human rights standards; and adequate powers of investigation; the First Amendment to Law No: 1/2005 was passed by the People's Majlis as Law No:1/2006 (Human Rights Commission's Act) and ratified by the President on 17th August 2006.

Our Role

The responsibilities of the Commission are as follows:

(a) Investigate complaints by aggrieved parties, and complaints submitted on their behalf by persons or organizations, alleging the violation, or aiding or abetting the violation, of human rights, and investigate where the Commission considers that such violation, or aiding or abetting a violation, has taken, or is taking, place, and investigate complaints by aggrieved parties, and complaints submitted on their behalf by persons or organizations, alleging negligence in failing to take action to halt or prevent such violation, or aiding or abetting such violation, and take appropriate action under this Act;

(b) Investigate cases of any person or party whom the Commission considers may be violating, or aiding or abetting the violation, of human rights, and investigate cases where the Commission considers there may be negligence in taking action to halt or prevent such violation, or aiding or abetting such violation, and take appropriate action under this Act;

(c) Investigate complaints alleging an administrative rule or regulation to be in conflict with human rights, and take appropriate action under this Act;

(d) Investigate complaints alleging human rights violations by a Government or private agency, and provide advice to such agencies on the steps the Commission considers appropriate to take in the matter;

(e) Develop a culture of human rights in the Maldives, and take any measures necessary to protect, preserve and promote human rights;

(f) Advise the Government on the formulation of laws, regulations and administrative rules and regulations as necessary, to protect, preserve and develop a culture of human rights;

(g) Identify existing laws, regulations, or administrative rules or ordinances that, in part or whole, contravene human rights and bring such contraventions to the attention of the Government;

(h) Advise the Government, and made recommendations as necessary, in relation to the ratification of regional and international human rights instruments;

(i) Assist, and actively participate, in the drafting of new human rights conventions;

(j) Raise awareness of human rights among the citizens of the Maldives, and others living in the country, and develop among them a culture of respect for human rights;

(k) Conduct research and carry out relevant surveys on human rights;

(l) Publicize through the media the Commission’s views, opinions and recommendations concerning the protection of human rights; and

(m) Undertake other additional activities as necessary to protect human rights.