Workshop highlights human trafficking indicators

Observer

20-05-2025

Muscat, May 20
A workshop was held on Tuesday titled "Indicators of Human Trafficking, Raising Awareness of Its Dangers, and the Importance of Reporting It". The event aimed to enhance public awareness of the signs of human trafficking, mechanisms for handling victims, fostering a culture of reporting among individuals, and strengthening community partnerships to combat this phenomenon.
Marwa al Balushi, a legal researcher at the Family Protection Department, Ministry of Social Development, stated, "The Ministry of Social Development contributes to raising community awareness of the harms of abuse, violence, and encouraging families to report. The beneficiaries of the protection house services include victims of human trafficking, women at risk of abuse and children at risk. The Sultanate of Oman also continues its tireless and ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in line with the Basic Law, which guarantees justice and equality for all segments of society. It is important to involve all governmental and non-governmental entities in providing protection to victims of human trafficking. Cooperation is ongoing with private sector institutions and civil society to support victims of human trafficking." The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Social Development in collaboration with the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, saw the participation of several child protection delegates, supervisors from the Protection House, and representatives from the Royal Oman Police working on human trafficking crime indicators.
The workshop featured four working papers. The first, presented by the Royal Oman Police, explored "Indicators of Human Trafficking Crimes". The second working paper, titled "The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking and International Reports", highlighted the committee's responsibilities, as outlined by the Foreign Ministry.
The Ministry of Labour presented its role in human trafficking cases, defining forced labour as any work or service exacted under the threat of punishment, which the person did not voluntarily agree to perform.
Indicators include non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports, excessive working hours without compensation, threats of termination or deportation, verbal or physical abuse, restricted freedom of movement and the illegal employment of minors.
The workshop concluded with a review of "The Legal Framework for Human Trafficking Crimes in the Sultanate of Oman". The paper examined legal provisions under the State's Basic Statute, issued by Royal Decree No 6/2021.
Additionally, the workshop reviewed provisions of international conventions related to human trafficking.