National committee to combat human trafficking holds meeting
Muscat: The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking today held its regular meeting under the chairmanship of Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs and Chairman of the Committee.
During the meeting, the outcomes of the Committee's delegation's visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain were discussed, as well as developments in the implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking in the Sultanate of Oman (2024-2026), and the extent of achievement and observations thereon were reviewed. In addition, the member bodies reviewed their efforts and activities in order to devote awareness on the importance of combating the crime of human trafficking.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg
Israeli naval forces boarded and seized a charity vessel that had tried to break a naval blockade of the war-torn Gaza Strip on Monday and the boat with its crew of 12, including activist Greta Thunberg, is now heading to a port in Israel. The British-flagged yacht, Madleen, which is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was aiming to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza later on Monday and raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis there. However, the boat was boarded during the night before it could reach shore, the FFC said on its Telegram account. The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed that it was under Israeli control. "The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries," the ministry wrote on X. All passengers were safe and unharmed, the ministry later added. "They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over." Among the 12-strong crew are Swedish climate campaigner Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament. CREW ARRESTED "The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 a.m.," Hassan posted on X. A photograph showed the crew seated on the boat, all wearing life jackets, with their hands in the air. The yacht is carrying a small shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula. The Foreign Ministry said it would be taken to Gaza. "The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels," it wrote. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas. Katz said he had instructed that upon the boat's arrival at Ashdod port, the activists will be shown videos of atrocities committed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Gaza war . Hamas condemned the seizure of the boat as "state terrorism" and said it salutes its activists. Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 to stop weapons from reaching the militant group, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Israel and the West. The blockade has remained in place through multiple conflicts, including the current war, which began when Hamas-led militants rampaged through southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, by Israeli tallies. Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in Hamas-run Gaza and left its more than 2 million population largely displaced and at risk of famine, according to the United Nations. The United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has supported the FFC operation and on Sunday, urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade. "Madleen's journey may have ended, but the mission isn't over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza," she wrote on X.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Thai, Cambodian forces to resume previous positions on border
BANGKOK: Thailand and Cambodian forces will return to their previously agreed positions, Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said, following talks on Sunday, after both reinforced their military presence in response to a deadly clash last month. For days, the two governments have exchanged statements, saying they were committed to finding a peaceful resolution after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a clash on May 28 in an undemarcated border area. On Saturday, the two countries had both reinforced their military presence, but Phumtham said in a statement on Sunday both sides would revert to positions agreed in 2024. He also said both sides hoped the border issue could be fully resolved through a meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee, set up to allow bilateral negotiations, on June 14. Cambodia did not immediately comment following the statement from Phumtham. Earlier on Sunday, Thailand shortened operating hours at 10 border crossings with Cambodia, citing security concerns. Checkpoints, including the busiest in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, halved operating hours to 8 am (0100 GMT) to 4 pm local time, from 6 am to 10 pm, previously, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters. Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817-km (508 miles) frontier, government data shows. Cambodia's Foreign Ministry reiterated a request to bring the border disputes to the International Court of Justice in a letter to Thai officials on June 6. "Given the complexity, historical nature and sensitivity of these disputes, it is increasingly evident that bilateral dialogue alone may no longer suffice to bring about a comprehensive and lasting solution," Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said in the note shared with reporters on Sunday. "A decision rendered by the ICJ, grounded in international law, would offer a fair, impartial, and durable resolution," he said. The Thai government has said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Thailand and Cambodia have for more than a century contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their shared border. Tension escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011. Both governments have enjoyed warm ties, from a close friendship between former leaders, Thaksin Shinawatra from Thailand and Cambodia's Hun Sen. Thaksin's daughter and Hun Sen's son are the incumbent prime ministers of their countries. — Reuters
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Oman, Mexico celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman and the United Mexican States celebrated the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between them, unveiling a commemorative emblem symbolising the advanced ties between the two friendly nations. This took place during a ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry in Muscat on Tuesday. Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali al Harthy, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, commended the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, noting that diplomatic relations began on July 31, 1985. He emphasised that this step has contributed to strengthening cooperation in various fields, including political, economic and cultural spheres. He expressed Oman's aspiration to further develop fruitful relations with Mexico across multiple domains, underscoring the shared values that unite the two nations and their mutual commitment to building a partnership based on respect and understanding. On his turn, Aníbal Gómez Toledo, Mexico's Ambassador to Oman, praised the distinguished bilateral relations between Oman and Mexico, affirming his government's keenness to enhance all aspects that elevate bilateral ties to wider horizons in all fields. He also lauded Oman's diplomatic efforts in resolving numerous regional and international issues, as well as its steadfast commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region and building bridges between conflicting parties through dialogue, tolerance and respect. He stressed that Oman serves as a model for mediation and peaceful conflict resolution. He expressed the profound gratitude and appreciation of the Mexican government and people to the Sultanate of Oman for its noble humanitarian efforts in securing the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship, particularly the Mexican citizens, enabling their return to their families. He affirmed that celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two friendly nations presents a unique opportunity to set new and ambitious goals that enhance cooperation, increase trade volume, promote tourism and strengthen academic exchanges through university scholarships, joint scientific research initiatives and other fields. A joint statement stated that Oman and Mexico celebrated five decades of productive and friendly relations across various sectors, noting that political consultations, economic and trade exchanges, and cultural cooperation have deepened mutual understanding and strengthened collaboration. The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening and expanding their bilateral relationship, expressing their determination to enhance cooperation based on shared interests and to continue working together for the lasting benefit of their peoples. The ceremony was attended by several officials from both the Omani and Mexican sides. - ONA
