According to reports by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Human trafficking is a global problem, with an estimated 25 million victims. The Sultanate of Oman remains committed to combating this issue, taking decisive actions to address this phenomenon and safeguard human rights. As the global prevalence of human trafficking cases escalates, Oman implements effective measures to confront this crime.
Human trafficking poses a grave international concern. It gravely threatens human rights and subjects millions of individuals to exploitation in forced labour, prostitution, and slavery. In response, the international community has united to combat this crime.
Governments and international organisations across the globe are collaborating to eradicate this phenomenon. Nonetheless, significant challenges persist, including the absence of stringent laws in some countries to combat human trafficking and ensure justice for victims. Moreover, the intricate nature of these trade networks complicates the identification of perpetrators and the dismantling of these criminal operations.
The Sultanate of Oman leads the Arab Gulf region in combating human trafficking as it acknowledged the gravity of Human trafficking and signed international agreements to strengthen global cooperation in fighting this crime.
Notably, Oman has undertaken measures to confront this phenomenon, including accession to the United Nations Convention against Organised Crime in 2005.
Moreover, Oman agreed to the Arab Convention against Transnational Organised Crime according to the Royal Decree (6/2015) as well as the accession of the Sultanate of Oman, according to Royal Decree (46/2020), to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which is concerned with granting economic, social, and cultural rights to non-self-governing individuals, including workers. Royal Decree also issued the Human Trafficking Law No. (126/2008), which defined the crime of human trafficking and drew broad lines for combating human trafficking in Oman. Accordingly, the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking was established, and its terms of reference were defined in accordance with Article (23).
Recently, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement highlighting that the most common forms of human trafficking include exploitation of domestic labour and sexual exploitation.
"The Ministry is working in partnership with the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, the Public Prosecution Office, the Royal Oman Police, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs to effectively deal with this international problem" the Ministry added in a statement.
Oman's participation in global efforts to combat human trafficking works as a driving force in the region to combat human trafficking. It reaffirms Oman's commitment to upholding human rights and preserving human dignity. Despite persistent challenges in this battle, Oman and the international community intensify cooperation and coordination in confronting human trafficking, protecting its victims, and collectively striving to eradicate this phenomenon.
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