The parliament has accused the Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Shidhatha Shareef of negligence by putting a child with disability in the custody of Ahmed Hishan (G. Neeruveek), after the courts have ordered not to put any child in his custody due to allegations of sexual abuse.

The case was brought up as an urgent matter by the MP for South Galolhu constituency, Mickail Ahmed Naseem.

He said that after the Family Court ruled in 2018 not to put any child in the custody of Hishan, who has been the “Honorary Disability Ambassador” until January 2020. And a child being forced into his custody is a matter that requires the attention of the parliament.

MP Mickail said that the appeal hearing of the custody at the Family Court yesterday revealed that there were suspicions and allegations of sexual abuse against Hishan when he was made the Honorary Disability Ambassador and was presented with the National Award.

And the proceedings of the hearing proved that the Gender Ministry was aware of the allegations and so bringing the negligence of the Ministry to the attention of the parliament is part of the reason for bringing up the case.

He said that the Gender Ministry had the opportunity to bring it up the allegations during the initial custody hearing and failed to do so. MP Mickail called on the relevant committees of the parliament to investigate and take action against the individuals that have been negligent.

The emergency case was accepted for debate by the vote of 41 from the 45 MPs present at the sitting today.