Bridging the Gap: A Maqāṣid-Based Legal Study on Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking in Jordan

Fatima Kassab Hmoud Al-Khalidi, Kefah Abdulqader Al-Suri

Abstract


Human trafficking is an escalating crime in Jordan, driven by complex economic, social, and political factors such as poverty, legal fragility, and the refugee crisis, all of which threaten human dignity and justice. This study aims to analyze the Jordanian legal framework, specifically Law No. 9 of 2009 and its 2021 Amendment, from the perspective of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿā, with a focus on protecting victims and enhancing their well-being. This study employs a mixed-methodology approach that integrates inductive, descriptive, analytical, comparative, and maqāsid-based methods. It relies on reviewing legal and Islamic literature, analyzing legislative texts and official reports, and examining three real cases that represent different patterns of trafficking. The findings reveal a relative alignment with the objectives of darūriyyāt (necessities), particularly the preservation of life and dignity, through provisions that ensure healthcare and security. However, practical application exposes evident gaps at the levels of ḥājiyyāt (needs) and tahsīniyyāt (embellishments). These include weaknesses in psychological and social rehabilitation, ambiguity in certain legal concepts, limited resources, and weak institutional coordination. The case studies further highlight challenges related to forced labor, organ trafficking, and sexual exploitation, reflecting shortcomings in upholding the objectives of preserving honor and property. The study recommends legislative and institutional reforms to clarify concepts, strengthen support and integration programs through Islamic tools such as zakāt and waqf, and expand international cooperation to combat this cross-border crime. It also calls for preventive policies that integrate the three levels of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa, to ensure victim protection and foster complementarity between sharīʿa and modern law.

Keywords


Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿā, Human trafficking, Victim Protection, Law No. 9 of 2009, Amending Law No. 10 of 2021, Jordan, human rights.

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v13i1.23375

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