Current Activities
Network of Human Rights Defenders
Monday, August 9th, 2010Network of Human Rights Defenders
The Network of Human Rights Defenders project is training a volunteer Network of dedicated individuals to advocate for and monitor human rights across the Maldives. This Network gives MDN the ability to promote human rights, assess the human rights situation and monitor specific violations on a nationwide scale.
Individuals trained under this project receive training in the following areas:
- Philosophy and history of Human Rights
- Rights enshrined in the 2nd chapter of the Constitution
- The democratic system of the Maldives
- Local legal redress mechanisms
- Maldivians and human rights (Islam and human rights / Maldivian culture and human rights)
- International law and international legal redress mechanisms
- Monitoring and reporting human rights
The manual used to train the Human Rights Defenders is available for download here
All trainees are evaluated at the end of the training and successful candidates are accredited as Human Rights Defenders. These Defenders are expected to advocate for human rights in the local community on a continuous basis; report human rights violations to MDN and to authorities where appropriate; guide and provide information to victims of human rights violations; and assist MDN in conducting nationwide assessments and activities.
MDN has established a system to log and follow-up on reports of violations that we receive. The organisation hopes to assist state authorities by identifying systemic failures in the human rights regime and providing recommendations rather than seeking redress in individual cases. MDN does however urge its Defenders to provide assistance and guidance to victims of human rights violations and follow up on their engagements with the redress mechanisms available.
A minimum of 60 Defenders will be trained in 10 atolls under this project by the end of 2010.
The Network of Human Rights Defenders project was established in March 2010 and is jointly funded by the US Embassy in Colombo and UNDP Maldives.
Parliament Watch
Monday, August 9th, 2010The Parliament Watch project studies draft legislation at Parliament and provides commentary on these drafts from a human rights perspective. MDN works closely with local NGO partners, international partners, resource personnel and state institutions to propose amendments and generate comments which are in line with human rights principles, international best-practice and the Maldivian context. We also hold public forums on certain bills to gather public opinion on draft legislation.
MDN lobbies Parliament to incorporate the comments and amendments generated. Our lobbying includes meeting with political parties, individual MPs, various state institutions as well as media campaigns. A comprehensive report on the activities conducted under this project and the responses from Parliamentarians will be released in early 2011.
Parliament Watch has proven to be a high impact project with 24 out of 26 amendments proposed by MDN to the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill incorporated into the Act; amendments to Judicial immunity reflected in the Judges Act; and amendments proposed to the local council elections bill also reflected in the Act.
In order to improve communication between the public and Parliament, MDN provides bi-weekly updates on all human rights related issues and happenings at Parliament. These updates are available on our website.
Parliament Watch was established in March 2010 and is funded by the United Nations Development Programme.
Constitutional Awareness
Thursday, August 5th, 2010The purpose of this project is to raise awareness among Maldivians about the rights enshrined in the 2nd Chapter of the 2008 Constitution. It is based on the understanding that the new democratic and human rights focused Constitution will only benefit the people when the people themselves are made aware of, and understand how to, demand their rights.
In addition to rights, the project also includes information on the legal redress mechanisms available both domestically and internationally for victims of human rights violations. The project is designed to emphasise the relevance of rights to the everyday lives of people and how rights can be used to better the lives of everyone. There is also a strong focus on the collective and individual responsibilities associated with each right.
A comprehensive book covering this material, entitled ‘Asaasee Haqquthakaai Minivankan’ (‘Basic Rights and Freedoms’), has been prepared and published by MDN. This publication has proven to be hugely popular with the general public and has also become a standard text used in human rights training given to Maldivian judges. A soft copy of the book is available here.
MDN has already held awareness raising workshops and seminars in 6 atolls including Raa, Meemu, Laamu, Gaaf Dhaal, Seenu and Gnyaviyani. Workshops will be held in 6 more atolls by the end of 2010.
This project was established in September 2009 and is funded by the United Nations Development Programme.