Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has stated that peace and prosperity can only be instilled in the country by establishing a well-structured legal and judicial system. He made the remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Juvenile Justice Unit to be developed in Hoarafushi, Haa Alifu Atoll.
Speaking at the ceremony, Home Minister Imran said that a complete legal and judicial system is required to establish a humane society, and highlighted the importance of fully implementing the laws enacted to safeguard such a society. He said that peaceful communities are a result of a well-structured system.
Furthermore, Minister Imran noted that individuals who commit crimes do so due to numerous systemic failures. He said that everyone has a personal responsibility to adhere to the law and that the first level of failure comes after they fail to uphold their responsibility for various reasons. He said that minors who commit crimes need the help of their family and community, including their school and council, to be rehabilitated back into society. He said that the Juvenile Justice Unit will allow juveniles who had been exposed to crime, to reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives.
The Juvenile Justice Unit in Hoarafushi is being developed as a halfway house to provide rehabilitation and treatment for juveniles apprehended over different criminal activities. The facility is being developed in a 10,000sqft plot of land in Hoarafushi.
The home ministry contracted the development of the Juvenile Justice Unit in Hoarafushi to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). Minister Imran officially laid the foundation of the facility during the groundbreaking ceremony held on July 29.
MTCC has been contracted to complete the construction of the Juvenile Justice Unit by the end of the year. The home ministry states the facility is expected to be in operation early next year.