Meeting on fighting human trafficking

By Ayman Adly/Staff Reporter

Qatar Foundation for Social Protection and Rehabilitation (QFSPR) yesterday launched the first “Consultative meeting on combating trafficking in persons in Qatar”.

The meeting, which concludes today, has been organised jointly by QFSPR and the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Public Prosecution are taking part in the event along with a number of legal experts and social workers from QFSPR.

Dr Obaid Ahmed al-Obaid, director of the centre, said trafficking in humans is a growing phenomenon around the world. It is found in the Arab world as well and needs extensive joint efforts by all stakeholders to effectively combat and eradicate such activities, it was observed.

He stressed the need for advanced training on the issues involved for those working in the field to establish a common ground for an effective strategy.

Dr al-Obaid pointed out that the meeting is of great importance as it gives officials, experts, researchers, NGOs and law-enforcement officers the opportunity to meet and exchange views on the concepts involved.

Similarly, QFSPR executive director Dr Yusuf al-Mulla pointed out that QFSPR is keen to protect human rights and any potential victims of trafficking. Accordingly, the meeting with law-enforcement entities, such as Public Prosecution and MoI officials, and legal experts will enhance mutual understanding on the nature of such crimes and result in the creation of a more effective strategy to address the issue.

He stressed the importance of co-ordination among all entities involved so that criminals would be duly prosecuted and brought to justice.

The meeting will have further discussions today on related issues to pave the way for a better understanding of the concepts involved.

No human trafficking cases recorded in 2013

“Based on the legal definition of human trafficking crimes, no such offences were recorded in Qatar in 2013,” said Ibrahim Abdulla al-Qubaisi, Prime Solicitor-General at the Public Prosecution, at the first “Consultative meeting on combating trafficking in persons in Qatar”.

He said legal determinants should be carefully observed when dealing with similar cases.

“Crimes such as visa trade could be considered as fraud, deception and greed rather than human trafficking. The crime usually happens outside the borders of Qatar, where the victim pays money for people to get them into the country. Our local legislations apply only to the country,” he explained.

He explained that for a proper case to be filed in court, the Public Prosecution should apply all legal determinants.