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DOHA: The State of Qatar has affirmed its commitment to the promotion and protection of all rights and freedoms for all residents in accordance with international human rights standards.
“Qatar will spare no effort to contribute to the efforts of international community for promoting and protecting the rights of children and women with provision of security, development and basic services in various fields,” said Najat Al Abdullah, Director of the Department of Family Affairs in the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs.
He was speaking at an event to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons organized by The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking.
The celebration was held at Inter-Continental Hotel with the participation of the Ministry of Interior, the International Labour Organization office in Doha, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and US embassy among others.
The day highlights the importance of human trafficking as it is one of the greatest contemporary challenges, and not only on a particular category, but it is becoming more widespread than before.
The event was organized under the patronage of H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs.
“The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking will conduct an awareness campaign to advise and guide workers at various workplaces and labor camps to educate them about the laws against human trafficking,” said Dr. Khalifa Al Abdullah, a member of the committee and representative of the Public Prosecution.
These campaigns will take place in collaboration with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Interior.
“Also there will be brochures to be distributed among house maids to educate them about their rights and Qatar has emerged as one of the top countries which attaches highest importance to safeguarding human rights,” Dr. Khalifa said.
He added that the committee is preparing annual reports on human trafficking and also spreading awareness about it through organizing conferences and symposiums to educate people.
The committee also cooperates with many international agencies in this regard and exchange studies and legislations with them in this field.
Houtan Homayounpour Director of the ILO Project Office in Qatar, said that human trafficking is a crime that is linked to people’s movements and therefore is not limited to a particular category. “This requires serious work and international and regional cooperation to eliminate and prevent it,” he said, adding that millions of men, women, children and workers around the world are suffering from forced labor and trafficking which adversely affects their future.
He also praised Qatar’s signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States on dealing with issues related to human trafficking, as well as the opening of an ILO office in the State of Qatar which he said reflected the seriousness of the State in dealing with this crime and contributing to its elimination regionally and internationally.
