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Political Officer at US Embassy in Oman visits the shelter centre for human trafficking victims
 
Gayatri A.Patel, Reports and Political Affairs Officer at US Department of State accompanied by Christine Harper, Political Officer at US Embassy in Oman visited the shelter centre for human trafficking victims (guest house). The centre receives human trafficking victims in a bid to provide them with health care, psychotherapy, food, legal help and other humanitarian aid so as to alleviate their distress.

It is worth mentioning that the Anti-Human Trafficking Law was promulgated in November, 2008 followed by the promulgation of National Plan which aims to clarify the practices and procedures related to Anti-Human Trafficking Law in Sultanate of Oman.

Since then, the authorities concerned have dealt with 23 cases from different nationalities.

the shelter centre 
Rest Room Meeting Room
Bed Room  Inside View
Meeting with human trafficking victims
 
Human trafficking: experts meet (9-10 October 2010)
 
The Manpower Ministry organised a workshop in human trafficking during which experts from the ILO participated. The event, which took place at Saffer Hall in Zakher Centre in Al Khuwair, discussed a number of working papers presented by ILO specialists, notably forced labour and ways that provided protection for human trafficking victims and potential victims. The ILO experts reviewed international experiences in the field.

The workshop, also discussed the role of labour ministries and co-operation with specialised partners, attended by employees and specialists from the ministries concerned, the Public Prosecution Department and Royal Oman Police. The ministries represented at the workshop included the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Education.
 
 
Human Traffic Report Discussed
 
The National Human Trafficking Committee held a meeting at the Police General Command in Qurum yesterday. The committee discussed the annual report on human trafficking and targets achieved so far by February 2010 workshop on increasing public awareness about human trafficking..
 
 
Human Trafficking Website Launched
 

The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT) met on Wed. 14 Oct. 2009 chaired by His Excellency Lt General Malik bin Sulaiman Al-Ma’mary, Inspector General of Police and Customs, Chairman of the Committee. The NCCHT approved the National Plan for Combating Human Trafficking, and launched its website.

The website contains a profile on the NCCHT, relevant laws and rules including the Anti-trafficking Law, Oman Labour Law, and the Foreigners’ Residence Law, and the National Anti-trafficking Plan. It contains also mechanisms for reporting any case or suspected case of human trafficking, and news on human trafficking.

Upon the issuance of the Anti-trafficking Law by Royal Decree No 126/2008, Oman became one of the countries which have human trafficking legislation. The Law is consistent with the international anti-trafficking standards, and with the customs, traditions and religious believes of Oman.

The NCCHT is the body in which efforts of all organizations concerned are used collectively to eliminate or curb this crime.

The authorities in Oman could seize last year the first ever human trafficking crime in Oman. Court rulings were already pronounced sentencing the convicts to imprisonment. This was an evidence that Oman is determined to combat this anti- human crime.

Although human trafficking crime in Oman is very limited, the NCCHT set up an annual awareness plan to enlighten the community about the crime, and how to fight it.
 
 
First Case of Trafficking in Persons Disclosed, Culprits Severely Punished
 

An international gang of traffickers in persons carried out criminal business in Oman then moved to Bahrain. Members of the gang exploited 13 girls of different Arabian nationalities using Oman as transit where the girls stay for short periods then return to Bahrain with new visas and stay there for one or tow months practicing indecent acts.

The ring comprised 13 members of Omani and Syrian nationalities. They helped the girls to enter Oman as their wives, with fake marriages made on paper only between them and the girls.

Members of the gang fell into the hands of Royal Oman Police, who after necessary investigations sent the case to the competent court. Eleven traffickers were sentenced to 7-year imprisonment each, and two were acquitted for their cooperation with the police and help in disclosing the case.

The girls were not sentenced. The authorities concerned provided the necessary support including residence, medical care then deported to their original countries at the government expense.

The trial of the case and the sentences were an evidence of the determination of the Sultanate to combat trafficking in persons all forms after the enactment of the Anti-trafficking Law by Royal Decree No. 128/2008 dated 23 Nov. 2008.

 
 
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Tuesday, 7/2/2012
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