Marshall Islands Authorities Charge Baby Traffickers

Marshall Islands authorities have charged three people for trafficking babies to the United States. This is the islands' first legal move to stop the flow of illegal adoptions of Marshallese babies in the US. Two of the accused persons are from Majuro and the third is a resident of US from the Arkansas. Authorities is being regarded as a popular destination for pregnant Marshallese mothers who adopt out their babies.

The accused men, Justin Aine (46), Aiti Hatty Anidrep (49) and Sally Abon, represented by Russell Kun, the Chief Public Defender, appeared before Judge Witten Philippo in an initial court appearance. The preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 12.

Justin Aine of Arkansas was charged with one count each of trafficking in persons, unlawful solicitation and monetary inducement, while the other two were charged with one count each of aiding and abetting, as well as unlawful solicitation. Sources say the charges relate to allegations they attempted to recruit a women from Majuro to provide her baby for adoption in Arkansas. A Marshallese, Giff Johnson said there has been a marked decrease in legal adoptions over the past 15 years as the adoptions directly in the US escalated. "Nobody really knows the numbers but there are just dozens and dozens of adoptions going on annually in the US by using the visa-free access that Marshall Islands enjoy."

However, using the visa-free access for the purpose of adoption is specifically forbidden by the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the treaty between the two countries which allows Marshall Islands to live and work in the US. The ease of travel makes it difficult to track whether the terms are being abused.