Parliament has approved the appointment of Shammoon Hameed as a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM).

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu submitted the names of Shammoon and incumbent HRCM member Samau Ahmed Najeeb to Parliament as Samau’s term nears expiry.

Human Rights Committee interviewed both candidates and presented its report to parliament today. Shammoon received 92 marks, while Samau received 86.

Shammoon, who currently serves as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Heritage, has also served as Secretary General of the HRCM.

Following debate on the committee’s report, Parliament voted today on Shammoon’s appointment. The nomination was approved unanimously by 57 MPs.

During the debate, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad questioned the committee’s assessment, noting that Shammoon had studied music and obtained a master’s degree, while Samau had studied human rights law.

“When the marks were given, unfortunately, education in a field related to this position, music and human rights law, were given equal or more weight than human rights law,” Ziyad said.

He alleged that Shammoon received the higher score because his name was listed first among the candidates submitted by the President.

Responding to the allegation, majority leader Ibrahim Falah said 20 percent of the assessment was allocated to education in a relevant field.

According to the committee’s report, candidates were assessed against eight criteria, including education and experience. Fifteen marks were allocated for demonstrated experience and relevance to the responsibilities of the position.

President Muizzu submitted the nominations to parliament as Samau’s term on the HRCM approaches its expiry.