President of the Presidential Commission formed to investigate the fall from a building of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, Dr Mohamed Munavvar, has stated that although the purpose of the commission may not be clear, their target is to ensure justice is served.
In a press conference held today to announce the commencement of the commission's work, Munavvar said that although the commission was formed to look into the case of Yumnu's fall, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has not so far made clear the objective of the commission.
"[I am] not entirely sure for what purpose the President formed this commission. What I know is, that this commission has been formed and that I have been tasked with completing the commission's work. The mandate is there to be seen. There is a resolution, there's the law. That is how much I know as of now," Munavvar said.
"What his thinking was, whose negligence led to this, what was being not done...this has not been shared with me."
Munavvar said that the commission's mandate is clear to him. He said that the mandate is to look into whether what led to the incident has been investigated or not, and if not, for the commission to do so.
"We are working to bring results. The result would be to deliver justice as the citizens want. I am assuring you that we will do everything necessary to do," Munavvar said.
He said that the Police, too, are continuing their investigation into the case, adding that he does not believe two institutions of the state should do 'duplicate' work. He said that the commission would first look into the Police investigation into the case. Munavvar also said that there exists a question of what will be done regarding the Police investigation now.
Munavvar said that the President's resolution calls for an investigation to be conducted in to the case, and does not specify whether another institution is carrying out an investigation or what steps would be taken in relation to such an investigation. He said that a decision on this would be reached by the President and relevant Minister.
"The President has not yet clearly said to me that this is why the commission has been formed. However, the resolution indicates the level to which instilling justice is required in relation to this case," Munavvar said.
Munavvar maintains that if an investigative commission is formed through a presidential resolution, then the investigation must be led by that commission.
"This commission is not taking over the investigation because we got some major issue to deal with. Our egos do not come into this. I assure you of that. The mandate given is to achieve the objective of the commission. What is the objective? That is, to provide justice to the victim who fell in this incident and her family."
"This is not to create a conflict within us and question whether police should do this, or I should do this. Our target is to uncover the truth behind the incident and deliver justice."
Munavvar expressed confidence that the commission would receive cooperation from the Police. In the instance that this does not happen, he is ready to take necessary actions, he asserted.
Munavvar also said that he is not aware yet if a budget has been allocated for the commission's work, or if members of the commission will be receiving salaries.
Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed was found fallen on the roof of a warehouse at H. Mitaaz on April 18. Police have said that she fell from a fanlight on the 9th floor stairwell of adjacent H. Fentenoy.
