Human trafficking remains one of the most egregious violations of human dignity and rights guaranteed by the law. This heinous crime is broadly defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of individuals through coercion, deception, or abuse of power for the purpose of exploitation.
While the world is going to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, it is necessary to shed light on the efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman to combat this crime.
A pivotal step in addressing human trafficking was taken by Oman with the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law promulgated by the Royal Decree No. 126/2008, which firmly criminalises such practices. Under the bylaw, any person found intentionally engaging in trafficking in persons, either through coercion, deception, or any other unlawful means, is deemed guilty and punishable by law.
Meanwhile, Article (2) of the bylaw states that 'Any person who intentionally engages in trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation, either by transporting, harboring, receiving, or recruiting them through coercion, threat, trickery, abuse of authority, exploitation of vulnerability, or by any other unlawful means, whether directly or indirectly, shall be deemed to have committed the crime of trafficking in persons’. Additionally, Article (4) stipulates that 'Anyone who participates in incitement, assistance, or agreement to commit the crime of trafficking in persons shall be considered an offender’.
Furthermore, the Sultanate of has joined the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three Protocols in 2005, including the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air, and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts, and Components and Ammunition.
Oman is making extensive efforts to enhance working conditions and safeguard the rights of workers, both concerning their occupational safety and health, as well as their legal entitlements. One of these endeavors is the introduction of a new labor law, officially issued through Royal Decree No. 53/2023 on July 25, 2023. According to Article (5) of this law, employers are strictly prohibited from subjecting workers to any form of forced or compulsory labor. Additionally, the law explicitly states that employers cannot hold workers' passports or personal documents unless they have obtained written consent from the workers.
The new labor law comprehensively addresses a wide range of labor-related matters, encompassing employment contracts, the responsibilities of both employers and workers, working hours, leave policies, wage regulations, the employment of minors, occupational safety and health standards, mechanisms for resolving labor disputes, penalties, and various other issues.
In a step to enhance Arab cooperation in preventing and combating organized crimes across national borders in both the judicial and security domains, the Sultanate of Oman has endorsed the Arab Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism and its Protocols.
In the wake of the country’s commitment to tackle unethical practices, a national committee, operating under a national action plan that includes policies, programmes, research, database, media campaigns, and social and economic initiatives, was set to combat human trafficking.
The committee consistently conducts an annual media plan, utilising various media channels to disseminate awareness of human trafficking crimes and indicators. It also educates the public on reporting human trafficking-related practices.Those campaigns reach a diverse audience through multilingual awareness messages, specialised training courses, and workshops on combating human trafficking.
It is worth mentioning that national institutions play a vital role in beating the menace by promptly responding to all reports concerning alleged human trafficking. In the event someone has fallen victim to human trafficking or if anyone observes a victim, they should contact the hotlines of the Royal Oman Police, or through the website of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking.
Dr Mohammed Al Hinai, The author is DG of the Directorate General of Press and Publication
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