Maldives: UNODC training empowers officers to uphold accountability

Male, Maldives/27 May 2024: An online training session was organised in collaboration with the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) for fourteen officers from the Maldives’ National Integrity Commission (NIC). The training centred on strengthening the accountability of law enforcement officers in the Maldives, a crucial element in promoting oversight and integrity within the nation’s security framework.

The NIC, an institution dedicated to ensuring the accountability of Maldives’ law enforcement officers for any violations of their code of conduct, plays a crucial role in maintaining the rule of law and public trust. This training session focused on the key pillars of oversight for misconduct in law enforcement agencies, providing NIC officers with the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct effective reviews and prioritizations, including in topic of counter-terrorism.

The session was led by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA), an independent Canadian body tasked with reviewing and investigating the lawfulness, reasonableness, and necessity of national security and intelligence activities in Canada. NSIRA's expertise in investigating public complaints and overseeing national security activities provided invaluable insights to the Maldivian officers.

Through the training, participants engaged deeply with concepts related to the review and prioritization mechanisms essential for effective oversight of law enforcement agencies. The agenda covered a wide range of topics, including the fundamental principles of conducting reviews, selecting topics for review, prioritizing reviews, and the necessary resources to achieve impactful outcomes. These discussions were not merely theoretical but were enriched with practical tools designed for conducting both discretionary and non-discretionary reviews of law enforcement agencies, with a particular focus on intelligence-gathering practices.

These tools included matrixes for conducting comprehensive reviews, enabling the officers to systematically assess various aspects of law enforcement activities. The focus on intelligence-gathering practices was particularly pertinent, given the evolving nature of security threats and the need for law enforcement agencies to adapt while remaining accountable and transparent.

The officers from the NIC displayed remarkable enthusiasm and engagement during the training. They participated actively in plenary sessions and breakout groups, reflecting their commitment to improving their oversight capabilities. The interactive nature of the training ensured that the officers could exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from each other as well as from the experts at NSIRA.

The training session underscored the importance of accountability in law enforcement, particularly in a country like the Maldives, where maintaining public trust in security institutions is paramount. By equipping NIC officers with the skills and knowledge to conduct effective oversight, the training aimed to enhance the overall integrity and effectiveness of law enforcement in the Maldives.

Officers expressed their appreciation for the practical and applicable knowledge gained during the sessions.  Looking ahead, UNODC and CTED plan to build on the momentum generated by this training with further engagements and additional training sessions by NSIRA.

This activity contributes to SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/