Government Forum to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Middle East Kicks Off

Doha, May 16 (QNA) - The activities of the government forum to combat human trafficking in the Middle East kicked off on Tuesday under the title "Combating Trafficking in Persons in Seasons of Tourism and Sports as an Example", under the auspices of HE Minister of Labour Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Labour represented by the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, in coordination with the Permanent General Secretariat of the Governmental Forum to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Middle East, will discuss challenges, developments and the latest developments on combating human trafficking in Middle Eastern countries, in addition to exchanging experiences and best practices, and how to enhance and develop capabilities. Workers in the field of combating human trafficking.
Their Excellencies, ministers and heads of competent bodies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the Office of United Nations on Drugs and Crime participate in the forum.
HE Minister of Labour and Chairman of the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri emphasized that Qatar, through its hosting of the World Cup, has exemplified a commitment to upholding human rights and addressing human trafficking concerns associated with significant sports events. He highlighted that Qatar has implemented the highest international standards, further solidifying its position as a top-tier tourist destination for organizing major international sporting events..
During his speech at the opening of the forum, His Excellency explained that the tourist seasons and hosting international sporting events increase the challenges related to combating human trafficking and respecting human rights, noting that the efforts of the sustainable growth team and decent work in the hospitality sector contributed to reducing the risks of human trafficking in coordination with similar efforts at the level countries and other sectors.
The Minister emphasized that human trafficking has evolved into a widespread global issue, endangering societies and presenting a significant challenge to the collective efforts of the international community in striving for progress and prosperity for all nations.
He explained that the State of Qatar has made tangible efforts to combat the phenomenon of human trafficking in compliance with international law, and to enhance cooperation in facing common challenges, noting Qatar's support for the United Nations Global Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and the effective response to combat human trafficking by establishing the national legal and institutional framework and supporting all national efforts as well as the international ones.
His Excellency pointed out that the comprehensive reforms of the Labour sector during the recent period aim to strengthen the legislative framework in order to address the structural causes leading to the phenomenon of human trafficking, especially by abolishing the kafala system completely, canceling the exit permit, facilitating the movement of workers and their transfer in the Labour market, and setting a minimum limit of discriminatory wages for workers and domestic workers, as well as promoting social dialogue and effective remedies.
HE the Minister stated that the convening of this forum comes as part of efforts to enhance dialogue between the national components and the social, regional and international partners with the aim of exchanging information and activating consultation and joint dialogue. associated challenges.
HE Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri affirmed the determination of the State of Qatar to continue efforts and fruitful cooperation with local and international partners and to continue to develop it as a basic pillar during the coming period.
In her turn, HE President of the Human Rights Commission, and Chair of the Committee to Combat Human Trafficking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al Tuwaijri, called for the preparation of a unified regional vision for the exploitation of tourism in crimes of human trafficking and the development of appropriate mechanisms to combat it in cooperation with international organizations.
Moreover, she stressed the need to strengthen communication between the countries participating in the forum and other Arab countries, in accordance with their commitments to the international and Arab protocols to prevent and combat human trafficking, especially women and children, noting that the importance of the forum has doubled, especially since its theme for this year is related to combating trafficking in persons during the tourist polarization seasons, to contribute to Develop practical solutions to confront the emerging methods and methods of traffickers, who exploit tourism in the implementation of their criminal schemes.
The success of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in combating crimes of trafficking in persons comes against the backdrop of the great reforms adopted by the Kingdom, which reflected in the development of the legal and institutional structure, she said noting that the Kingdom is aware of the seriousness of crimes of trafficking in persons, and is working to combat it by enacting measures for prevention, protection, assistance and prosecution. 

For his part, HE Minister of Justice and Chairman of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking Crimes in the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, stressed that human trafficking is an issue of international concern, as reports of international organizations indicate that this serious type of organized crime threatens approximately (25 ) million people worldwide, pointing out that international reports confirm that the largest percentage of victims of human trafficking are those looking for temporary migration opportunities for the purpose of working with the aim of creating a better future and life for themselves and their families.
His Excellency added, "I can only praise the great success achieved by the brothers in Qatar during their hosting of the FIFA World Cup at the end of last year, and I also take this opportunity to congratulate them on choosing Qatar to host the Basketball World Cup in 2027, and I am confident that the sister country of Qatar It will once again dazzle the world by offering a premium sports experience."
He indicated that the UAE has taken several measures and adopted a comprehensive national approach based on full cooperation and coordination between all government agencies and civil society institutions, pointing to the strengthening of cooperation and integration between law enforcement agencies through the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, and the harnessing of national media in order to create a safe environment. for the most vulnerable groups.
His Excellency explained that the expansion of the use of information technology contributed to the entry of the crime of human trafficking into the cyberspace, as modern technologies provided traffickers with many tools to attract, exploit and control victims, indicating that the UAE is in the process of amending the law to combat human trafficking crimes in line with developments in order to combat those crimes.
HE Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the State of Kuwait, Dr. Amer bin Muhammad Ali Muhammad, indicated that the phenomenon of trafficking in persons has become a phenomenon of concern to countries, as it affects the lives of individuals and peoples, and is also becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, indicating that the countries of the world have begun to confront this criminal phenomenon by resorting to the ratification of agreements designated to combat crime in some of its common forms, with the aim of reducing effects on the domestic and international levels.
He explained that the State of Kuwait worked to define crime in national legislation, as the national legislator dealt with it in the penal laws with severe punishment in view of the serious harm it inflicts on the state and its citizens, indicating that the labor law is targeting a basic goal that is based on a fair balance between the interest of workers and their protection on the one hand and the interest of owners Business.
He pointed out that the State of Kuwait is well aware of the importance of cooperation and openness to the experiences of other countries in the field of combating the crime of trafficking in persons, as it represents a transcontinental crime, pointing to the need for international cooperation in order to combat human trafficking in order to reach the ultimate goal of human protection and the preservation of human dignity.
Sherine Al Saati, representative of the Permanent General Secretariat of the Government Forum, stated that the fourth session of the forum is being held at a time when we need to further strengthen partnerships and build bridges at the national and international levels to combat trafficking in persons, noting the need to address through pillars that include legal frameworks, prevention, prevention, prosecution and protection. and help the victims.
She explained the importance of including expatriates in the tourism polarization seasons within our development plans by harnessing their contributions to achieving the goals and objectives of sustainable development, noting the need to strengthen cooperation to ensure safe migration in its various aspects.
She emphasized the need for the outputs and recommendations of the forum's work to be able to develop a unified vision to confront the crime of trafficking in persons during the seasons of tourism polarization, and then work on developing the necessary tools.

For his part, HE Dr. Hatem Ali, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the GCC states, stressed the importance of the government forum to combat trafficking in persons, as it is a platform for exchanging expertise, experiences, policies and strategies developed by member states in facing the challenge targeting the countries of the region.
He indicated that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will work with the government forum to implement the recommendations that emerged from the previous sessions and the recommendations that will emerge from the fourth session, indicating that there are many achievements at the level of the countries of the region with regard to combating cases and crimes of trafficking in persons, especially since the region is one of the most Areas facing challenges in facing human trafficking crimes.
Through the existence of national and international coordination, the gathering of people, and the exchange of experiences, so that it is a product of true partnership and best practice in dealing with various forms of human trafficking crimes.
In addition, Iman Erekat, Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration in Qatar, affirmed that the State of Qatar provided a positive and encouraging model in combating human trafficking and made steady strides in this field.
Erekat said that every year thousands of men, women and children fall prey to traffickers in the countries of origin, transit and destination, noting that the category of immigrants remains the most vulnerable and vulnerable to the dangers of human trafficking, as human traffickers give their victims fake promises and false work contracts.
Although major sporting events are a meeting place for cultures and a source of human and civilized exchange, they contribute to increasing the risks of human trafficking, explaining that sporting events in all countries that attract large audiences are considered an incubating and encouraging environment for traffickers, as cases of exploitation abound, and events are often accompanied with International sports, with huge infrastructure construction projects, require a large workforce, she said.
She indicated that the International Organization for Migration began working in the field of combating trafficking in persons when we encountered migrants for the first time living in slavery-like conditions in southeastern Europe in the mid-1990s, and at that time little was known about this modern form of slavery, indicating that the actors were Few, slight funding, and modest initiatives at the time.
She emphasized the need for comprehensive measures to address the issue, encompassing public awareness, legal prosecution, victim protection, institutional capacity development, and research. She highlighted the support of the International Organization for Migration in assisting governments through its global expertise in identifying victims, responding to trafficking cases, providing assistance, and contributing to the formulation of cohesive anti-trafficking policies.
In her turn, the Deputy Head of Mission at the US Embassy, Natalie Baker, appreciated the efforts made by the State of Qatar during its hosting of the World Cup in the field of combating human trafficking, praising the reforms it introduced in the work system and combating human trafficking.
She emphasized that the concerned departments in the United States of America are looking forward to increasing communication with the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking to combat this crime, stressing the role of law enforcement and judicial authorities in applying laws to get rid of them.
The Envoy for Migration and Modern Slavery at the Office of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development in the United Kingdom, Stephen Malby, lauded the efforts made by the Qatari government in combating the crime of human trafficking through the reforms and legislation it introduced in the work environment, stressing his country's commitment to partnership with the State of Qatar to combat this crime.
He called for the formation of an international team to raise awareness and publicize this crime, stressing the UK's readiness to provide assistance in efforts to combat human trafficking. (QNA)