Office of the Ombudsman for Transitional Justice (OOTJ) has announced it will be accepting cases until August 13.
OOTJ was established following the ratification of the Transitional Justice Act on December 17, 2020. It functions as an autonomous legal identity vested with powers to communicate, file a lawsuit or receive court charges under the Transitional Justice Act. The act sanctions investigations into past wrongdoings by state authorities, heads of agencies, or individuals in power, which resulted in human rights violations. The act also strengthens accountability mechanisms, provides a framework for redress and reparations for victims of the abuse of power, and outlines measures to avoid such abuses of authority in the future. The eligibility timeframe for cases that may be investigated according to the act runs from January 1, 1953, until November 17, 2018.
Ombudsperson Jihada Anees said OOTJ will give priority to concluding cases through discussions and negotiations. However, she said the office will conduct investigations and prosecute when necessary.
OOTJ has stated it will investigate cases involving any administration without discrimination and prioritise cases of human rights violations. The office also stated that, in cases involving financial compensation, it will take into account the person's salary, allowance, and health costs.
OOTJ is required to submit a report to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih every three months, which will also be published in the Government Gazette. The president is also required to present the report to the Parliament of the Maldives.