Third Committee

Agenda Item 73(b): Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Intervention by the Republic of Maldives to the Report by the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Ms. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro

Statement by:

Ms. Farzana Zahir, Joint Secretary

United Nations, New York, 23 October 2015

 

Thank you Distinguished Chairperson,

The Maldives would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her comprehensive report and appreciate the important work carried out by her on this very important issue.

Maldives delegation welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the due diligence obligations of States to prevent trafficking and ensuring the rights of the trafficked persons.

This is an area of special importance and great challenge for the Maldives as we host a large number of migrant workers. Government of Maldives has taken significant steps to protect the rights of migrant worker's. Among them include the ratification of the eight ILO core conventions, as well as the annexation of national legislation, the Anti-Trafficking Act in 2013. The Government has also endorsed the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons for 2015-2019 which sets comprehensive and effective strategies to combat human trafficking in the Maldives. . With the approval of the Parliament, the Maldives is also at the final stages of completing its formalities to accede to the Optional Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children.

The Maldives also recognise the importance of due diligence to take a comprehensive, integrated and holistic approach to ensuring the human rights of trafficked persons and persons at risk of being trafficked. In this regard, a number of measures are being undertaken nationally with multi stakeholder participation to address any shortcomings in this area. We are also working closely with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in strengthening migration management including combating human trafficking issues.

My question to the Special Rapporteur is, how successful are States in applying human rights based approach to trafficking victims and what are your views on the level in which specific needs are addressed, especially that of women and children.