The Cabinet of Ministers has passed the Maldives National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan (NAP) 2020 – 2022 on Tuesday.

Formulated by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Steering Committee (NAHTSC) chaired by the Ministry of Defense and National Security since December 2019, the plan was presented by NAHTSC during the Cabinet Working Sessions held before Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

Formed in consultation with relevant local and international stakeholders, the plan comes into effect on 30 March this year and is to conclude by December 2022.

It aims to boost efforts to eradicate Trafficking of Persons (TIP) in the Maldives.

A number of key initiatives will be executed under the plan, including a baseline study to gauge the human trafficking situation in the country, Inter Alia.

It further includes revisions to the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act (PHTA) to align the human trafficking definition with the 2000 UN TIP Protocol. Also, it will streamline NAHTSC’s functioning and set up a dedicated anti-human trafficking office alongside a toll-free hotline to report suspected offenders and victims of human trafficking.

The plan aims to celebrate the annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in the Maldives, on 30 July, the first time this year.

In addition the purpose of the plan is also to increase monitoring, screening, investigation, prosecution, conviction for all forms of trafficking, conduct anti-human trafficking workshops for law enforcement, immigration, social service providers, judges and prosecutors.

On the occasion, Minister of Defence and chair of the NAHTSC, Mariya Didi extended gratitude to all NAHTSC members and international partners for assistance provided in the formulation of the plan.