Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has ordered Vaavu atoll Felidhoo Council to annul its decision not to render services to the spouses and kin of debtors.
The commission on Monday, November 6, issued a statement which said that any restriction of rights or freedom should adhere to the Maldives Constitution, and to the reasonable extent any right should be restricted.
HRCM further said the Decentralization Act does not stipulate any circumstances where local governance authorities can bar any citizen from acquiring services from them, and argued that Felidhoo Council did not have any legal grounds to restrict providing services to specific individuals.
"We highlight that the directives approached at the 29th general meeting of Felidhoo Council is in contradiction with both the Maldives Constitution and the Decentralization Act, and as such, the council does not have authority on issuing said directives," HRCM statement read.
"The commission is concerned about the decision of Felidhoo Council not to provide services to the debtors and their families, and have demanded to annul the decision on November 5, 2023."
HRCM further said that any action taken by the council to ensure receipt of outstanding payments from citizens or debtors should adhere to the legal boundaries, and should not infringe on the rights of the public. The commission further said that the services provided by the council authorities should be facilitated to ensure its objectives are met.
"We request all council authorities to respect and protect the fundamental human rights, and to ensure its decisions are in adherence to the Maldives Constitution and laws without infringing on the rights of the public," HRCM in its statement said.
Felidhoo Council in its announcement said the authority had failed to collect outstanding payments from debtors despite constant efforts.
Meanwhile, Local Government Authority (LGA) has demanded the council to change its decision to ensure no one's civil rights were encroached.
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