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Observer
20-05-2025
- Observer
Workshop highlights human trafficking indicators
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.
Jordan Times
15-04-2025
- Jordan Times
Man handed 7-year jail term for sexually assaulting teenage girl
AMMAN — The Court of Cassation upheld an October 2023 Criminal Court ruling, sentencing an Egyptian national to seven years in prison after convicting him of engaging in consensual sexual activities with a teenage divorced Syrian girl in 2023. The court declared the defendant guilty of engaging in sexual activities with the 17-year-old minor and handed him the maximum penalty. Court papers said the victim and the defendant knew each other few months before the incident. The two developed a relationship, and the defendant 'went to the girl's house on three different occasions and engaged in sexual activities with her, the court added. The victim became pregnant and notified the defendant, who asked her not to inform her family, court papers added. However, the victim informed her family, and they took their daughter to the Family Protection Department for legal action against the defendant, the court stated. The defendant did not contest his verdict at a higher court. Meanwhile, the Criminal Court's attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the sentence. The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court proceedings were accurate and that the defendant was given the appropriate punishment. The Court of Cassation was headed by Judge Mahmoud Ebtoush and included judges Rizeq Abulfool, Fawzy Nahar, Majid Rafaya and Qassem Dughmi.
