Human trafficking is an egregious crime that threatens worth of humankind: Minister Mariya

Human trafficking is an “egregious” crime that threatens the essential dignity and worth of humankind, says Minister of Defense and National Security, Mariya Ahmed Didi.

In a statement released to commemorate the World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2021, the minister noted that human trafficking, is a grave violation of human rights and an atrocity the people can “no longer afford to be complacent about”.

In her statement Mariya expressed gratitude to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for his “staunch” commitment as well as the personal attention he gives to further the Anti-Human Trafficking cause across the island nation.

Maldives was removed from the United States' State Department Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Tier 2 watch list in early July, which the minister noted was the result of the spirit of dedication of the government. Maldives was put on the watchlist based on the “precarious” performance showed during 2017, during the administration of now incarcerated former president, Abdulla Yameen.

Further, the statement reads that the government has undertaken several key initiatives despite being faced by the challenged of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which include the establishment of an Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Anti-TIP) Office as well as the appointment of a Director of Anti-Human Trafficking at the Ministry of Defense.

Some other notable feats of the government despite being engulfed in Covid-19 challenges include the allocation of funds from the state budget for anti-human trafficking activities, establishing a victim shelter in Gulhifalhu as well as ratifying the second amendment to the Anti-Human Trafficking Act in April, following which conspiring to traffic a person or a child, giving orders to do so and altering travel documents of a person being trafficked will be criminalized. The amendment stipulates that transporting a child to Maldives with the intent of exploiting them, or transporting a child out of the country with the same intent as well as moving a child within Maldives and recruiting them to a workforce while under a guardianship will be considered acts of trafficking.

Minister Mariya acknowledged the continuous efforts and commitment of Ali Jaishan Amir, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking as well as members of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Steering Committee, its Member Institutions and Partner Agencies to implement the Maldives National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan (2020-2022) under “new normal” conditions.

Mariya expressed keen interest to build on the progress achieved on the Anti-Human Trafficking front within a short span of time, as well as to further enhance work being done to enforce the five “P”s, Policy, Protection, Prosecution, Prevention and Partnerships.

The statement went on to highlight that this year’s theme titled “Victims’ Voices Lead the Way”, mirrors Maldives’ role as the Line Ministry. The country’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons team is currently involved with drafting the Victim Assistance and Shelter Service Regulation as well as to establish an Anti-Trafficking in Persons Communications Strategy that emphasizes the voice of victims.