The Maldives Police Service issued a statement last night defending their actions after the Annual Report of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) revealed that detainees at Dhoonidhoo Custodial Centre are subjected to inhumane punishment, including being handcuffed and confined in a cage for disobedience.
In their statement, the police expressed concern over the language and interpretation used by some media outlets in reporting the NPM findings.
"We note that the news was disseminated without considering the original purpose of the report or the depth of the issues mentioned, and without regard for the resource constraints and operational challenges faced by the institutions," the police stated.
The police further asserted that the issues highlighted in the report target the systemic framework as a whole rather than challenges unique to a single institution. They maintained that the findings should be viewed as guidance and recommendations for improvement.
Additionally, the police claimed that the report does not definitively establish that any legal offenses or wrongful acts were committed.
However, according to the NPM’s 2025 report, detainees at Dhoonidhoo are isolated and kept handcuffed in a cage located within the custodial exercise yard. This cage is situated in an area with no shade and is exposed to intense sunlight.
Maldives detainees handcuffed in cage under scorching sun, HRCM report reveals
A report by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives reveals that detainees at Dhoonidhoo Custodial Centre face inhumane punishment, including being handcuffed in a cage under direct sun.
"It was noted that this area [the cage] becomes extremely hot during the afternoon, and detainees are sometimes kept there for extended periods on a mat with their hands and feet restrained by clip-handcuffs," the report stated.
Although police officers claimed that detainees held in the cage are granted opportunities to use the restroom and perform prayers, the NPM noted that these activities are not logged in the official system.
The report acknowledged that if a detainee violates prison rules or regulations, certain privileges or services may be temporarily suspended or withheld as a disciplinary measure.
However, the regulations do not permit isolating a person in an outdoor enclosure as a means of revoking privileges for disobedience.
The police concluded by stating they would work alongside the HRCM and other relevant stakeholders to address the issues raised in the report and to improve the quality of their services.
