Inmates of unit 10 in Maafushi Prison have launched a hunger strike to protest against unfair treatment.
Maldives Human Rights and Detainee Watch said in a statement that it had received information about the hunger strike and had received complaints from the families of the prisoners.
The statement, citing families, said that the hunger strike began because of discrimination against five prisoners in Unit 10.
According to the statement, the five prisoners are not allowed out of their cells as per routine and are kept in isolated cells for long periods of time.
A minor who was ordered to be held in juvenile detention is also being isolated, the statement added.
“The Maldives Correctional Service has informed this association that prisoners in Unit 10 of Maafushi Prison have stopped taking their meals,” the statement said.
The statement added that the culture of discrimination must be eliminated and called on the relevant authorities to take reformatory action.
Prison officers are now in talks with the inmates to resolve the issue, Corrections said.
