Forum to combat human trafficking in the Middle East meets in Muscat
The Government Forum for Combating Human Trafficking in the Middle East, met in Muscat under the theme “Combating Human Trafficking through Legislation and Work Procedures.”
In this its fifth session the Forum called for the periodic review of existing legislation, whether directly related to combating human trafficking or concerning the labour sector in general, in order to ensure laws match the evolving nature of the of human trafficking and to make sure the law provides the tools to expand the supervisory roles of labour inspectors and their ability to prevent this crime.
The Forum also called for the establishment of a technical working group made up of representatives of participating bodies, the permanent secretariat of the forum, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and relevant UN organisations and bodies, in order to develop a roadmap for implementing recommendations and monitoring progress towards achieving the Forum's objectives.
It further called for leveraging the experiences of participating countries in the field of labour inspection procedures, in regulatory frameworks and in the monitoring of recruitment and employment agencies. It also called for mechanisms for coordination and cooperation between host countries and source countries in managing investigations into cases of human trafficking in the labor sector.
The Forum highlighted the importance of enhancing the sharing of experiences of participating countries in safeguarding labour rights through labour litigation and through streamlined procedures. It also highlighted the importance of providing legal and technical support in partnership with judicial authorities and the importance of developing tools for identifying indicators of human trafficking.
The Forum also called for continued efforts to raise awareness in society about the rights of migrant workers. It said this should include steps to enhance a culture of combating forced labour through organising events and awareness campaigns. It added that such efforts should be made in partnership and cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other relevant UN entities involved in the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
The Forum said that it was important to encourage labour-exporting countries to raise awareness among workers about their rights, to increase awareness of how human traffickers operate and how to report human trafficking.
The Forum, held under the patronage of Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, Minister of Labour, aimed to develop a unified vision for combating human trafficking relevant to developments in how this crime is carried out.
The Forum also aimed to develop the capabilities of those working in the field of combating human trafficking and helping victims through specialised training programmes tailored to the region.
Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, Political Undersecretary of Oman's Foreign Ministry and Chairman of the Sultanate's National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT), told the Forum that Oman has taken various measures to protect workers from exploitation or human trafficking, including the issue of a new Labour Law under Royal Decree No. (53/2023), which includes specific provisions prohibiting forced labour and related practices.
He added that the measures taken by Oman include the formation of a team comprising various relevant government entities to enhance bilateral cooperation with labour-exporting countries. This team has visited 10 countries with the aim of signing memoranda of understanding regarding the labour sector and combating human trafficking.
Sheikh Khalifa explained that in addition to this a Wage Protection System has been launched. This is an electronic system jointly operated by the Ministry of Labour and the Central Bank of Oman aimed at monitoring wage payments in private sector establishments and ensuring compliance with regulations on transferring workers' salaries to their accounts in approved local banks, as stipulated in Article 87 of the Labour Law.
He also noted that Oman has established a joint inspection unit between the Ministry of Labour and the Public Authority for Security and Safety Services to improve the quality and efficiency of inspection operations. He said this is having a positive impact on the intensification of inspection campaigns on non-compliant establishments and informal labor, as well as on streamlining labour procedures.
Sheikh Khalifa said that the NCCHT this year launched the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking for the period 2024 to 2026. Its aim is to enhance Oman's efforts in preventing, suppressing, and punishing human trafficking in all its forms and providing the necessary protection to victims. He said that he hoped that a new law to combat human trafficking, amending and improving the current law, would be issued in the coming months,
Sheikh Khalifa also stressed that human rights conventions are by their nature universal and that the world should therefore apply them with justice and equality. He noted that unfortunately this is not the reality now. He said the ongoing killings, starvation and displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation authorities clearly demonstrate a glaring case of double standards and a disconnect between principles and positions.
He added that human trafficking is a widespread international crime in which men, women and children are used for profit. It targets weak and desperate individuals seeking a better life and should be considered one of the most dangerous crimes and the largest of illicit trades that threaten human security.
Human Trafficking therefore requires international cooperation to combat it, he said, as well as the development of a clear strategy that takes into account the nature and seriousness of the crime – a crime against human nature and the teachings of Islam and other religions, which sanctify human dignity and forbid any assault on it.
Speaking to the forum Judge Dr Hatem Ali, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, commended the efforts made by the GCC countries to combat human trafficking through a clear and comprehensive approach to supporting victims and raising awareness of this crime. He stressed the importance of the forum hosted by Oman, as a way to exchange experiences, experiments and perspectives on the efforts made by countries in the region.
As part of the Forum's activities, a panel discussion was held on the prevention and combating of human trafficking through legislation and work procedures. The discussion reviewed the experiences of participating countries and the challenges they face in this field, with input from representatives of those countries, international organisations, and regional bodies.
The discussions covered legislation and practical measures adopted by countries to combat human trafficking and saw an exchange of successful ideas and experiences. There was a focus on the legal tools and administrative procedures, which play a crucial role in combating this crime.
The panel also reviewed the experiences of participating countries in combating human trafficking, providing specific details about the challenges faced by countries and how they overcame them through concerted efforts. The Panel discussion shared success stories and innovative practices that have proven effective in reducing cases of human trafficking.
Participants in the panel discussion agreed on the importance of strengthening legislation and implementing innovative practical measures, as well as enhancing international cooperation to address this serious phenomenon and protect the rights of victims.
Those taking part in the Forum included Ministers, heads and members of committees responsible for combating human trafficking, in the GCC countries, Jordan and Egypt, as well as representatives of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the US Department of State, the African Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.
