Human Right Commission of Maldives (HRCM), on Monday, decided to take measures against relevant authorities over faliure to provide clean water to inmates at Dhoonidhoo Prison in Kaafu Atoll.
According to a statement by HRCM, the commission decided to take measures against revelant authorities under Article 26 of the Human Rights Commission Act.
As per Article 26, an individual that violates a direct order by the commission can be sentanced to 3 months of house arrest. If the individual was employed at the government position they can be sacked from their post.
During last week, HRCM ordered Maldives Police Service to discontinue provision of the unsanitary water and make arrangements for clean water to be provided for the inmates within 72 hours.
This order was issued after the commision visited Dhoonidhoo Prison in October and tested the drinking water provided to the inmates at the facility, which revealed that the water contained large amounts of bacteria.
The comission further added that the quality of the drinking water did not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s standards and added that Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) noted that the contaminated water could lead to additional health problems for those drinking it.
However, the human rights watchdog stated that police had failed to follow the instructions when members of the commision visited the prison later, on Monday.
While HRCM moves to take measures against Police over their negligence, Maldives Correctional Service (MCS), in 2019, installed a system to provide clean water to all the facilities operated by MCS.
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