Parliament approves Shafeeq to human rights commission

Parliament has approved former Local Government Authority (LGA) Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Shafeeq Mahmood as a member of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).

The five-year terms of two out of the five commission members are due to expire on 8 September. Last week, President Mohamed Muizzu forwarded two names to parliament for consideration.

The Human Rights and Gender Committee assessed both candidates and presented its report to the House. Mahmood received 83 per cent in the committee’s evaluation, surpassing the 75 per cent threshold required for approval. His appointment was endorsed in parliament with 65 votes in favour.

The second nominee, Mohamed Farish Thoha, received 53 per cent in the committee evaluation and was not approved. His name was therefore not forwarded for a parliamentary vote.

During the committee’s interview process, members raised allegations of domestic violence against Farish. He denied the claims, stating no complaint had been filed against him with any authority. State Minister for Fisheries Aiminath Hussain Sharif, his former wife, also denied the allegations publicly, saying she had never filed a complaint.

The committee report noted that no official complaints had been received against either candidate.

Farish was also questioned about alleged misconduct during his service in the armed forces. He denied the accusations.

Committee meetings on matters involving domestic violence are typically held in closed sessions. However, in this instance, the proceedings were conducted openly.

One committee member, Asma Rasheed, representing the Maafannu Central constituency and the mother of Aiminath Hussain Sharif, did not participate in the session when marks were awarded to Farish.