The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has criticized the parliament for "failing to function properly."
The parliament broke for recess on Thursday despite a proposal by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) majority to postpone holidays until important matters could be concluded.
“The Commission is deeply concerned that the parliament is not functioning properly,” the HRCM said in a statement.
The HRCM said the delay in the work of the parliament is an obstacle to ensuring rights through the legal system.
"The lack of full progress on important rights-related bills is an obstacle to ensuring rights through the legal system."
The commission said there were bills pending in parliament but did not elaborate.
The halt in parliament proceedings is an obstacle to monitoring and holding state powers accountable, the HRCM stated.
In addition, the commission expressed concern because the term of a member of the Elections Commission (EC) expires in July.
According to Article 24 of the parliament's rules of procedure, the second session of the parliament will run until the last Thursday of June.
The last session of the second term was held yesterday. However, the rules allow for extraordinary sessions.
MDP has proposed holding a sitting during recess for:
- Reconstitution of committees
- No-confidence motions against attorney general Ibrahim Riffath and foreign minister Abdulla Shahid
- Amendments to parliament's standing orders
- Appointment of members to the Elections Commission
- Impeachment of speaker and deputy speaker
"The [parliamentary group] agreed today to [request] a sitting outside the session under section 45(d) of the rules. The section on ways to hold sittings states that a sitting must be held within 24 days if it is proposed by one-third of parliament," Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq said.
