Home Minister Umar Naseer revealed today jailed former
President Mohamed Nasheed’s medical condition, prompting an outcry on
social media over the release of confidential information.
Naseer said the doctor had recommended Nasheed undergo a
micro-discectomy of the L4-5 discs or the lowest discs of the backbone,
and said the procedure is available in the Maldives.
The opposition leader’s family has requested the government to allow
him to travel abroad for the surgery. The injury was caused by torture
during Nasheed’s imprisonment during former President Maumoon Abdul
Gayoom’s regime, lawyers said at a press conference yesterday.
Naseer, in his tweet, said the Maldives Correctional Services would seek a second opinion on the matter.
Hisaan Hussein, a lawyer who represents Nasheed, said only those
authorised by the patient could reveal confidential medical information.
“Just because Naseer had access to the medical report does not mean he
can reveal information there.”
In a press release, lawyers yesterday also said Nasheed required a
micro-discectomy, but did not reveal the location of the injury. The
surgery is done to relieve pressure on nerves from slipped discs.
“We are authorised by President Nasheed to reveal information, the
home minister is not. We have not even received his latest medical
reports,” Hisaan added.
Nasheed was brought to the ADK hospital in Malé for a consultation with a neurosurgeon on Sunday.
Naseer’s tweet has sparked outrage on social media, with the former
president’s family members and supporters saying the home minister has
no right to reveal private information.
Nasheed was jailed on a terrorism charge in March. He was briefly
transferred to house arrest in June, but re-imprisoned in August.
A UN human rights panel has ruled his detention illegal and arbitrary, but the government has rejected the opinion.
An appeal of Nasheed’s terrorism conviction is before the Supreme Court now.
source- http://maldivesindependent.com
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