Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has filed a case to the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) stating the residents of HDh. Hirimaradhoo are not being served and are in a state of "confusion" due to Hirimaradhoo being deemed an uninhabited island before they can be relocated to Hanimaadhoo.
The case filed by MDP to the HRCM reads that even though Hanimaadhoo Council is in charge of the needs of the Hirimaradhoo population, they are not operating as such and requested to look into the matter as a serious issue.
While speaking to journalists after filing the case, Chairman of MDP's Decentralization Committee Ali Niyaz said that the committee conducted fact finding efforts in regards to the state of Hirimaradhoo residents, and have shared their findings with the HRCM.
"We requested that this matter be looked into as a serious issue. More than 300 people are living there. Even though Hanimaadhoo Council is described as the parental entity in the President's resolution, that is not how they operate. Our findings have concluded that they do not operate in such a way. This has resulted in the residents of the island being in a state of confusion," said Niyaz.
Hirimaradhoo has the lowest population of the 13 islands in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll. The latest census recorded the island to have a population of 293 people, which are 157 men and 136 women.
According to Niyaz, MDP requests that if the government does not want to build houses for the people of Hirimaradhoo in Hanimaadhoo and relocate them, the government needs to void the resolution stating Hirimaradhoo is an uninhabited island. He also said MDP requests a council for Hirimaradhoo be created and to hold an election after the resolution is voided.
"If that cannot be done, we call for Hirimaradhoo residents to be relocated and settled in Hanimaadhoo within 18 months as stated in the resolution, to build more than 180 housing units required by the residents and to relocate them," said Niyaz.
He went on to say that even if the resolution states as such, it is clear that housing units cannot be built within 18 months, and that the plot for the housing units has not been finalized as of yet.
Regarding the delay in building the housing units, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib stated in Parliament that they are facing difficulties due to Hanimaadhoo Council not being cooperative regarding the government's housing project in Hanimaadhoo in the relocation of HDh. Hirimaradhoo residents to the island.
"Please do not combine the housing for Hirimaradhoo residents and the housing being constructed at Hanimaadhoo. We will move forward with both projects. It is important the housing project begins quickly so that Hirimaradhoo residents can be relocated," said the minister.
The Hanimaadhoo Council has filed a police case stating the residents of Hirimaradhoo are to be given plots without the council's permission. Protests were held to reverse this decision as well.
During his visits to the northern islands in August 2025, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had gone to Hirimaradhoo and awarded the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) the project to establish housing, as per the requests of Hirimaradhoo residents, and municipal services in Hanimaadhoo within a year and a half.
At the time, the President said that a house would be built for every plot in Hirimaradhoo and that the construction effort would see a conclusion within 18 months, with the keys to be handed over as well. However, President Muizzu said that it is not compulsory for Hirimaradhoo residents to move to Hanimaadhoo.
Hirimaradhoo was declared an uninhabited island via a resolution from the President in December 2025.
