President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has nominated former Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) secretary general Shammoon Hameed for appointment as a member of the commission.

The President's Office had earlier announced that applications were being sought to fill one of the five seats on the HRCM as the term of incumbent member Samau Ahmed Najeeb nears its end.

Shammoon and Samau were among those who applied for the position, and both names have been sent to parliament for approval. President Muizzu has given priority to Shammoon's nomination.

Shammoon previously served as secretary general of the HRCM and has held several government positions, including permanent secretary at the Ministry of Arts.

The nominations have been sent to the Parliament's Human Rights and Gender Committee for consideration.

Samau was appointed to the HRCM in October 2021 and her five-year term expires in October.