Human trafficking will harm govt’s domestic and international commitments- Foreign Minister

Ministrer of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla has said that the issue of trafficking in persons as a grave concern for the Government, given its domestic and international commitments. He said this speaking at the ceremony held to launch an assertive campaign to counter the issue of human trafficking in the Maldives.

“The Blue Ribbon Campaign: Stand Against Human Trafficking” is aimed at raising public awareness on the issue of trafficking in the Maldives and is especially designed to reach out to the general public, including potential victims, on the causes and consequences of the crime of trafficking.

Launching the campaign Minister Samad said: “Also, being an active member of the Human Rights Council, we have been advocating for stringent measures to curb all actions that encroach on human dignity.”

Continuing his remarks the Minister said that, “while there are some measures the government has taken such as submitting the Anti-Trafficking Bill to Parliament and drawing up an internal Action Plan, these have not reached the public. Hence, today we intend to close that gap by becoming partners with the media”.

During yesterday’s ceremony, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formalized partnerships with the local media and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with them to this effect. Under the MoU media outlets would broadcast programmes and publish as well as undertake news and current affairs programmes on human trafficking designed to trigger public debate on the issue.

The Blue Ribbon Campaign is structured in to three phases. Yesterday’s launching marked the beginning of the first phase aimed at forming partnerships with the media. The second phase will be focused towards the tourism industry whilst the third would be geared towards schools and the general public.