Gov’t Plans “Hope Island” Initiative for Youth Rehabilitation

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has revealed plans to designate an island, to be named “Hope Island,” for the rehabilitation of children exposed to crime.

During a collaborative press conference involving various agencies under the homeland ministry, Minister Ali Ihusaan outlined the planning efforts for Hope Island. He stated that the government intends to utilise the island to provide fundamental education, religious guidance, psychosocial interventions, and sports programmes for the children residing there.

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Children taken to Hope Island will remain until they reach the age of 18, at which point they will serve a specified term in either the Maldives Police Service (MPS) or the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Minister Ihusaan mentioned that they will then be given opportunities to pursue their chosen careers after serving in the army or the police force.

The Hope Island Project is not currently included in the state budget, and the government plans to seek foreign funding instead,Minister said. He noted discussions with foreign agencies that have shown positive interest in the concept.

Additionally, Minister Ihusaan highlighted ongoing efforts by the government to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 years to 12 years. He stated that these legal changes will enable the government to conduct rehabilitation programmes for at-risk minors in this age group.

“The point of this is not to jail young children, but to rehabilitate children between 12 and 15 who are exposed to criminal environments and make them productive members of society,” Minister Ihusaan stated.

Citing instances of 12-year-olds involved in criminal activities, he mentioned ongoing legal initiatives, in collaboration with the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO), to enact this change.