US calls for stronger cap on human trafficking

US calls Maldives for stronger measures to stop human trafficking in the country after Maldives was included in the annual US State Department human trafficking watchlist.

Maldives was included in the in the “Tier 2 Watchlist” – which includes countries with increasing number of cases of human trafficking - of the “Trafficking in Persons” report released by US State Department Monday night.

The US advised Maldives to work more on prosecuting individuals suspected of being involved in human trafficking, and to increase public awareness on human trafficking.

Maldives was also urged to investigate and penalize agents and companies that recruit expatriates and bring them to Maldives under false pretenses.

Maldives was omitted from the Tier 2 Watchlist in 2014 after four consecutive years, only to be included again in 2015.