Maldivian family repatriated from a conflict zone

A Maldivian family that had fled the nation to join foreign wars was brought back to Maldives on Friday.

This is the first family to be repatriated to Maldives from a conflict zone.

In an announcement made by Home Ministry on Friday, they said they had brought back a woman and her four children under the age of 18. The ministry did not disclose any more detail.

They are working on rehabilitating them before re-introducing them to society.

Further information about the woman and her children were not revealed in order to keep their identities a secret. Children, and woman who had become victims of abuse, are given special attention and protection under the Maldivian law and the various international treaties Maldives is party to as well. Therefore, it is legally prohibited to disclose the identity of such individuals and disseminate information publicly, which would undermine the dignity of such individuals, the ministry said.

The ministry further said they are prioritizing repatriating such individuals back to Maldives in order to ensure national security is maintained; to protect human rights of Maldives' citizens; and to provide a way to rehabilitate people that have become outsiders in society.

The families of such people have requested President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and relevant government authorities to bring back the affected families abroad back to the Maldives. Finding a solution to the issue is also a presidential pledge of this administration.

People that had participated in foreign wars have re-entered society without undergoing any sort of rehabilitation program as well. The government had worked to solve this issue as well.

The regulation on rehabilitation and reintegration of those returning from the war came into effect in January. A center has also been established in Kaafu Himmafushi, to provide religious, social and psychological treatment to women and children who have been victims of wars.

Numerous Maldivians had left to participate in the internal civil wars in countries such as Afghanistan, and Syria. While some men had died in these conflict ridden areas, their wives and children remain stuck unable to return.