Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government of Sri Lanka Faiszer Mustapha met with Sri Lankan national Lahiru Madushanka, who was arrested in 2015 under allegations of attempting to assassinate former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
According to local media outlet Mihaaru, the meeting took place at the detention centre in Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll where Madushanka is currently incarcerated. Mustapha was in Maldives to attend the inauguration ceremony of newly sworn-in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International published a case report on October 31, stating that Madushanka had been incarcerated for three years without a fair trial and was subjected to inhumane treatment during his imprisonment.
The report, titled ‘Prisoner in Paradise’, claimed that Madushanka was denied legal representation and was subject to ill-treatment which includes prolonged solitary confinement and beatings that resulted in a temporary hearing loss. Per the document, Madushanka also informed his lawyer of an incident in which drawing pins were pushed into his face.
Highlighted overcrowded and unhygienic cell conditions as well as poor food quality that resulted in Madushanka falling ill and vomiting for a period of three days, the report stated that he was subsequently denied medical attention. Additionally, it said that family access was not granted.
Amnesty International called on the government and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) to investigate the allegations in addition to demanding the provision of humane detention conditions. The organization called on the Prosecutor General, the Criminal Court and the Judicial Service Commission of the Maldives to guarantee Madushanka a fair trial.
The treatment of Madhushanka, as reported by Amnesty International, is in violation of The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules) which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 17, 2015.
Maldives Police Service has yet to make a statement regarding Amnesty’s report.
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