Oman launches drive to fight global human trafficking

Energy Monday 16/October/2017 14:07 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman launches drive to fight global human trafficking

Muscat: A nationwide campaign to combat the global rise in human trafficking has been launched by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT).
“In the last 10 years, there has been an unprecedented rise in human trafficking globally, particularly sexual exploitation and forced labour. This represents a serious drawback in human progression,” said Hussein bin Ali Al Hilali, the Attorney General and Deputy Chairman of the NCCHT.
The campaign titled ‘Ehsan’ aims to raise awareness among the general public and seek their engagement in the government’s efforts to combat this heinous crime.
Headed by Sayyid Badr bin Hamed bin Humood Al Busaidi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the campaign was launched on 16th October by Al Hilali.
The human trafficking campaign will be active for three months during which different communications tools will be used such as posters in different languages Arabic, English, Hindi, Bangla, Urdu, and Bahasa across Muscat, Muscat International Airport, and ROP centres, to help raise public awareness, targeting all nationalities and segments of the society, particularly the most vulnerable.
“We seek to educate the society about this crime and the wrong practices that may lead to criminal accountability and on the other hand, motivate people to play effective roles in combating human trafficking if and when they encounter it,” said Nasser Abdullah Al Riyami, Assistant Attorney General.
The campaign will contribute to the three Ps of combating trafficking in people: Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution.
‘Ehsan’ also targets various law enforcement personnel and first responders dealing with trafficking cases, through a number of workshops and briefing sessions.
“The Sultanate is not exempted from what is happening worldwide and that the eradication of this heinous crime is not only by criminalising it but by supporting the victims, providing them with psychological and social care, rehabilitating them to help restore trust in themselves and their communities as well as protecting them against any future vulnerability,” Al Hilali added.