Revealing identities of victimized children now a criminal offence in Maldives

Revealing the identity of victimized children or child survivors is a violation of the Child Rights Protection Act that came into effect on Thursday.

Gender Minister, Aishath Mohamed Didi issued the reminder via Twitter on Thursday morning.

She stressed that “posting photos of revealing the identity of a victimized child or child survivor will be a violation of the [Child Rights Protection] Act.”

The minister, who was appointed earlier this month following the resignation of Shidhatha Shareef, also responded to a Twitter user who "hopes that this Act will be fully implemented,” and emphasized that the Act involves “all of us.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, the gender ministry noted that the law is based on international child protection laws and standards to ensure the protection of Maldivian children.

It outlines the rights and responsibilities for children, and duties of the state, community and parents to protect such rights and seeks to protect children from discrimination, bias, harm, cruel punishment, neglect and physical and emotional abuse. The law also includes provisions such as the right to education, right to health care, and special provisions to protect the rights of children with special needs.

A Child and Family Protection Service is to be established within 30 days after the law takes effect, while a Child Rights Protection Council must be formed within 60 days. A Children’s Ombudsperson is to be appointed in 90 days.

Further noting that laws and procedures related to the child rights law must be created within six months, the ministry assured that it will complete these tasks “as soon as possible” and before the required date.

While the Child Rights Protection Act was signed into law on 20th November 2019, the law states that it will take effect three months after ratification.