Parliament Committee Endorses Mohamed Shafeeq for HRCM Appointment

Parliament’s Human Rights and Gender Committee has approved Mohamed Shafeeq Mahmood for appointment to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM).

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had forwarded the names of Mohamed Faris Thaha, a former officer of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), and Mohamed Shafeeq for the commission. However, the committee decided not to endorse Faris Thaha after he failed to secure the required 75 marks to be sent to the floor of parliament.

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During the committee review, MPs noted receiving public comments raising concerns about allegations of domestic violence against Faris Thaha. The committee secretariat, however, said no public comments were submitted through the formal process.

Faris Thaha rejected the allegations, stating that he had never been investigated by any authority regarding domestic violence. He said his marriage ended amicably eight years ago and that he maintained a good relationship with his former spouse’s family. He added that the accusations surfaced only four years after his divorce.

Some MPs also said they had received comments suggesting Faris resigned from the MNDF over inhumane actions. He denied the claim, saying he left the force after receiving a private sector job offer.

Faris previously served as an investigating officer in the police branch of the armed forces between 1992 and 1997 and later worked as a weapons instructor until 2004.

Shafeeq’s professional background includes senior roles in both government and state-owned enterprises, among them Managing Director of the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Education, Deputy Director at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Assistant Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Maldives Airports Company Limited, and Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government Authority.

The terms of HRCM Vice President Moomina Waheed and member Aminath Shifath Abdul Razzaq are due to expire on 8 September. The President’s Office had previously invited applications twice before submitting the names of Faris and Shafeeq to parliament.