President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed former Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) Secretary-General Shamoon Hameed as a member of the commission.
Shamoon, who previously spent several years in senior positions at HRCM, received his letter of appointment from President Muizzu during a ceremony held at the President’s Office.
Before formally taking up the position, Shamoon took the oath of office administered by Supreme Court Justice Dr Mohamed Ibrahim.
His appointment was made under Article 190(b) of the Constitution and Section 5(a) of the Human Rights Commission Act.
The appointment marks Shamoon’s return to an institution where he previously served for six years.
He joined HRCM as Director of its Investigation Department in 2010 and remained in that position until 2012. He was subsequently appointed Secretary-General of the commission, a post he held until 2016.
During his time at HRCM, Shamoon also served as the commission’s focal point for reporting through the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, the process through which the human rights records of United Nations member states are periodically reviewed.
His work at the commission also included contributions to national studies focusing on educational opportunities available to children with disabilities and measures aimed at protecting children’s rights.
More recently, Shamoon served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage.
HRCM is an independent institution established under the Constitution with a mandate to promote and protect human rights in the Maldives. Its responsibilities include investigating allegations of human rights violations, monitoring the country’s human rights situation and advising state institutions on measures necessary to uphold fundamental rights.
Members of the commission are appointed by the President following the process prescribed by the Constitution and the Human Rights Commission Act.
With his latest appointment, Shamoon returns to HRCM as a commission member after previously working within its administrative and investigative leadership.
