Ombudsperson's Office for Transitional Justice (OTJ) has revealed it is investigating seven cases of national interest.
OTJ received 488 cases since opening the opportunity to submit cases from June to August 2021 and has accepted 452 cases.
Lead Investigator Mariyam Saeed said OTJ has held meetings with individuals who submitted 278 cases and that the office has a target of concluding some of the cases by February and to conclude investigations on other cases by June.
Ombudsperson Mariyam Laiza said the investigations on the seven cases of national interest will be conducted more broadly. She said one of the cases involves the alleged inhumane actions taken by the government during the forcible removal of residents in Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, during the revolt in the southern region from 1959 to 1966. She said complaints regarding the incident were submitted by the Thinadhoo Island Council and numerous individuals.
Furthermore, Ombudsperson Laiza said the second case involves resorts using uninhabited islands in two atolls without benefiting the atolls. She said the third case involves the inhumane acts inflicted on late President Mohamed Amin Didi and the obstructions placed against conducting a proper investigation. She said the complaints were submitted by individuals but OTJ believes the case is of national interest, as the incident was regarding the overthrow of the government.
Additionally, Ombudsperson Laiza said OTJ will also be conducting a broad investigation on the actions taken by the security services to obstruct protests and hinder the freedom of speech in 2012, as well as the unlawful arrests in 2018. She said complaints have also been submitted regarding the government neglecting or violating the rights of individuals during the housing projects conducted in the Greater Male' Region from 1953 to 2018. She said the seventh case of national interest involves the inhumane actions taken by the security services during the protest on May 1, 2015.
OTJ is tasked with completing the investigation of its cases within two years and submitting the cases to the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) or the Attorney General's Office (AGO) if required.