iCOM documents contradict previous ruling: HRCM

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has expressed concerns that the report sent to them by the Information Commissioner's Office regarding the case where Fahi Union applied for information regarding work conducted by HRCM together with the Housing Ministry to seek the rights of those who did not receive flats under the Gedhoruveriya scheme contradict the ruling made in the case.

In the meeting held by iCOM on April 28 in the case submitted to them by Fahi Union and HRCM, the commission ruled that HRCM had disclosed information to the extent required in the case submitted to HRCM by Fahi Union seeking information, later expressing discontent over the amount of information received. iCOM ruled that the concerns will be further looked in to.

The decision was made based on documentations and concerns submitted, and points brought up in the meeting.

The first meeting in the case was held on April 17. However, the report received by HRCM is dated April 24, and was shared with HRCM on May 25, 26 days after the meeting had been held.

HRCM said that in the meeting held to conclude the case on April 28, the office had issued a ruling citing the Information Commissioner, which largely contradicted the report that has now been sent.

Raising concerns about this, HRCM alleges that iCOM had failed to act in accordance with the Right to Information Act in the written ruling they had issued. They said that the ruling states that HRCM had violated the RTI ACT and ordered them to inform the iCOM whether or not they had the necessary documents of their joint work with the ministry in five working days.

HRCM said that this order was not included in the April 28 ruling, of which HRCM had not received any documents. They said that no further actions had been asked of them in relation to the ruling of the time.

HRCM noted that in cases where an institution is ordered to fulfil an action within a specified time, it is important to notify all involved in the case on the day of the ruling, or at the possible earliest. However, in this case, documents had been received 26 days after the ruling, with the five day window provided having already expired, HRCM said.

HRCM said that in the original case, Fahi Union had applied seeking information on August 17, 2024. The union appealed for copies of the work conducted by HRCM together with the Ministry to protect the rights of those who had failed to receive flats under the Gedhoruveriya housing scheme, and especially for documents in which the Minister had stated that the list will not be cancelled.

"The preceding two responses indicated that the requested information is held by this commission. The ruling announced in the Information Commissioner's Office meeting of April 28, 2025, notes that the applicant is not satisfied with the information provided, but rules that the required extent of information under Act no. 1/2014 Right to Information Act has been provided by this commission," the statement reads.

A response had been issued to the applicant on September 3, 2024 stating that the requested information relates to an ongoing case at the HRCM, and that a response would be provided once the case is concluded.

When there was a request for this decision to be reviewed, the Review Committee had responded to the applicant on October 8, 2024 that the information provided by the Information Officer was correct. HRCM said that a summary report of the decision had also been shared with the applicant on November 9, 2024.