Politics

Torture in detention increasing, says Human Rights Commission

16 Mar 2014, 2:55 PM
Ahmed Rilwan
The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) 2013 annual report has revealed that incidents of torture in detention are increasing in the Maldives.
Among the issues noted during the commission’s visits to places of detention – in particular, prisons and police detention centers – and from the cases submitted to the commission were:

Detainees being held in cuffs for 24 hours – sometimes for 15 – 30 day – with removal only for using the toilet and for eating

Detainees not being provided with necessary items for cleaning themselves, or with pillows and blankets for sleeping

Overcrowding of cells

Police officers cursing and hurting detainees inside vehicles during transfer

Serving of rotten food

Not keeping proper records of detainees including medical, search, and solitary confinement records.

Not providing family meetings and phone calls

Police not providing details of arrested people to HRCM

Police entering homes without a court order

Addressing underage detainees inappropriately

According to the report, out of the a total 596 recommendations regarding state detention facilities made by the HRCM – including prisons, detention centers and homes for people with special need – only twenty percent have been fully implemented.

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