6 October 2016, New York; Underscoring that transnational and organized crime remains an obstacle to sustainable economic and social development, the Maldives has today called for a global commitment to fighting the war against crime. The call was made by the Maldives in its statement to the debate at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly under the Agenda Item on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice/International Drug Control.
Delivering the statement on behalf of the Maldives, Ms. Aisha Naeem, Senior State Counsel at the Attorney General's Office emphasized the domestic efforts being undertaken by the Maldives to combat widespread crimes such as drug trafficking, trafficking of persons and money laundering.
The statement underlined the relentless efforts of the Government of Maldives to strengthen the national legislative framework to combat crime, from the enactment of the new Criminal Procedure Code, the Maldives' accession to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Optional Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children; the adoption of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act and the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting of Terrorism Financing Act and the Counter-Terrorism Act. Further, the statement noted that the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the launch of the national counter terrorism strategy were crucial preventive elements to counter extremist and radical ideologies and practices.
Highlighting that 47% of the country's population comprises youth, the statement reflected on the importance accorded by the Government to prevent drug abuse, through the enactment of national drug policies and laws that place strong emphasis on reintegrating drug dependent persons into society.
In its statement, the Maldives also stressed the need to collaborate with the international community to identify emerging trends and issues in preventing and combating such crimes.
