With the National Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) marking its 20th anniversary, the APT has joined the human rights body in a series of events aimed at strengthening partnerships for torture prevention across the archipelago.
The Maldives ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) in 2006, with the Commission functioning as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) over the past 15 years.
As part of its outreach efforts, the APT joined the Commission to host a national roundtable on the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering, known as the Méndez Principles.
The discussions, held on 12 December, included more than 30 participants from the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General’s Office, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Maldives Police Service, the President’s Office, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Inspector for Correctional Service, Maldives Immigration, Maldives Customs, the judiciary and the Bar Council.
The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture was also represented at the national roundtable, which helped raise awareness of the Méndez Principles and their relevance and application to the Maldives.
Over the past 15 years, there have been significant developments in the Maldives’ institutional and legal framework for the prohibition and prevention of torture, including the criminalisation of torture, the provision of important safeguards to reduce the risk of torture and other ill-treatment, and the establishment of external oversight.
During the discussion, police and government policy makers shared their experiences and discussed possible ways to enhance collaboration among all investigative agencies and other relevant institutions to strengthen detention-related safeguards and uphold the rights of persons being interviewed, in particular those in situations of heightened vulnerability, such as children, women, persons with disabilities and foreigners.
In this regard, the Méndez Principles was seen as a key tool to assist Maldivian authorities bridge the gap between law and practice and ensure better outcomes of investigations while upholding human rights.
The APT, the SPT and the HRCM also held bilateral meetings with the President’s Office, the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology and other authorities under the ministry's portfolio, and the Human Rights and Gender Committee of the Parliament (People’s Majlis).
These State authorities renewed their commitment towards torture prevention, acknowledging the progress made so far and discussing possible ways to address the challenges ahead.
In addition, the APT and the HRCM, in its role as NPM, co-hosted a consultation with civil society organisations that contribute to torture prevention efforts in the Maldives. The meeting - the first of its kind - provided a unique space for open exchange among all groups.
The discussions introduced the key elements of the OPCAT system in establishing a global approach to torture prevention, including the establishment of NPMs and their independent monitoring role at the national level, as well as the work carried out by the NPM of the Maldives.
During the meeting, held on 13 December, participants explored ways that civil society organisations can collaborate with the NPM to increase their joint impact on torture prevention priorities. The NPM committed to better disseminate its work and hold regular meetings with civil society organisations to continue exchanging on shared areas of interest and work together to effectively prevent torture in the country.
The NPM of the Maldives, with its strong powers of access to places and facilities, to persons and to documentation, can recommend changes based on first-hand information. The NPM is recognised as a key partner and is making a difference.”
On Human Rights Day – 10 December – APT Secretary General Barbara Bernath gave a keynote speech at an event in Malé organised by the HRCM, the UN Office in the Maldives and the OHCHR to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The event also paid tribute to the Commission’s work over 20 years to promote and protect human rights across the Maldives and 15 years in its role as NPM.
The APT’s work in the Maldives is supported by the Government of Canada and the UN Special Fund to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.
