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. (MORE)
Source: Qatar News Agency