ARC is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the abduction and murder of a 13 year old boy in Hulhumale’ last night, and calls for an immediate and transparent investigation. ARC offers heartfelt condolences to family and friends of the minor who had been reportedly missing since Sunday.
Violence against children must end immediately and perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be brought to justice promptly. ARC remains deeply concerned about increasing cases of violence against children which continue due to systematic flaws in the child protection system in the country, exacerbated by deficiencies in law enforcement, judicial and social sectors tasked with the promotion and protection of the rights of children in the Maldives. The increasing severity of such cases including several resulting in fatalities as well as the rising complexities of such cases are also deeply unnerving.
ARC reiterates its commitment to continue its efforts to work with all relevant stakeholders to safeguard the rights of children across the Maldives.