As part of its follow-up on a case involving the exploitation of a group of persons, including children, for the purpose of begging in Malaysia, and in coordination with the relevant authorities, the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR), acting within its legal mandate under Law No. (51) of 2006 and its amendments, commends the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom to follow up on the case and coordinate with the Malaysian authorities. These efforts aim to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to protect children and other persons found to have been subjected to exploitation, and that anyone found to have been involved in such acts is investigated and held accountable in accordance with the law.
In this context, the Centre emphasizes that human trafficking constitutes a serious violation of human dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms, as it involves the exploitation of individuals and infringes upon their liberty and rights, particularly when it affects groups most in need of protection.
The Centre notes that the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has strengthened its legislative and institutional framework for combating human trafficking, beginning with the Jordanian Constitution, Article 6 of which affirms the protection of groups most in need of protection from abuse and exploitation. Jordan has also ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
At the national legislative level, Jordan enacted Anti-Human Trafficking Law No. (9) of 2009 and its amendments, which addresses forms of exploitation that may constitute human trafficking offences in accordance with the provisions and conditions stipulated by law. Relevant regulations have also been issued, including those governing shelters for victims and persons affected by human trafficking offences and the Human Trafficking Victims Assistance Fund, thereby strengthening the protection and assistance framework available to victims and affected persons.
The Centre commends the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen policies and institutional frameworks for preventing and combating human trafficking and protecting its victims. These efforts include the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking for 2024–2027, the establishment of Dar Karama for victims of human trafficking, the introduction of the National Referral Mechanism for Victims of Human Trafficking, which defines the roles of the relevant authorities, the activation of the Human Trafficking Victims Assistance Fund, the implementation of awareness-raising programmes targeting different segments of society, and the designation of judges to hear cases involving human trafficking offences.
In conclusion, the Centre calls for continued coordination between the Jordanian and Malaysian authorities to ensure the safe return of the children and other affected persons and to provide them with the necessary protection, support, and care. The Centre further stresses the need to ensure that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in all measures taken and that victims and persons found to have been subjected to exploitation are protected from all forms of stigma and revictimization. It also calls for the investigation and prosecution of anyone found to have been involved in their exploitation and for those responsible to be held accountable in accordance with relevant national legislation and international conventions.
