Oman Reaffirms Commitment to Combating Human Trafficking Ahead of World Day

Muscat, July 29 (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman will join countries around the world tomorrow in marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on 30 July, reaffirming its commitment to combating human trafficking, protecting victims, and strengthening international cooperation to address one of the world’s most serious transnational crimes.

His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said the occasion renews the collective commitment to safeguarding human dignity and protecting individuals from all forms of exploitation and coercion.

He stressed that human trafficking represents not only a violation of the law but also a direct assault on human rights and personal freedom.

Al Harthy said Oman continues to implement a comprehensive national approach based on prevention, protection, prosecution, and institutional partnership, placing victims’ rights and safety at the centre of its response.

He noted that the issuance of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law under Royal Decree No. 78/2025 has strengthened the country’s legal framework by addressing emerging forms of trafficking and expanding protections available to victims.

He added that this year’s international theme, “Caught in the Fraud Trap,” highlights the growing use of fraudulent employment offers to lure victims before subjecting them to exploitation and forcing them into online fraud and cybercrime activities.

Al Harthy emphasized that such evolving criminal methods require stronger international cooperation, enhanced information sharing, and closer judicial and security coordination among countries.

He affirmed that Oman remains committed to working with regional and international partners to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice in a manner that upholds human dignity and reinforces the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Jamal bin Habib Al Quraishi, Director General of Criminal Investigation and Research at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), said the annual observance seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, educate society on prevention measures, encourage reporting of suspected cases, and strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

He described combating human trafficking as both a national and humanitarian responsibility requiring the joint efforts of government institutions, citizens, and residents.

Al Quraishi explained that this year’s theme reflects the growing trend of organized criminal networks exploiting victims through fake overseas employment opportunities before coercing them into committing cybercrimes, including online financial fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and emotional deception schemes.

He noted that human trafficking cases in Oman remain limited, with authorities adopting a firm approach that prioritizes victim protection while treating trafficking as a serious criminal offence affecting human dignity and fundamental rights.

He said the ROP, in coordination with the Public Prosecution and relevant government entities, continues to monitor, investigate, and combat all forms of trafficking.

According to Al Quraishi, the most common forms of trafficking include forced labour, confiscation of travel documents, withholding wages, coercive working conditions, and exploitation in immoral or illegal activities.

He highlighted a major operation carried out this year in which the Royal Oman Police dismantled an international criminal network that lured victims with false employment promises before forcing them to smuggle narcotics by swallowing drug-filled capsules.

The operation resulted in the arrest of the network’s members after authorities intercepted one victim at Muscat International Airport carrying narcotics concealed inside his body and prevented a further smuggling attempt.

Al Quraishi said the General Department of Criminal Investigation and Research works closely with the Public Prosecution, government agencies, and the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking to implement the national strategy through intelligence gathering, investigations, victim protection, evidence collection, border monitoring, and public awareness initiatives.

He added that Oman also cooperates with international and regional organizations, including Interpol, GCC Police, the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, Europol, and several international organizations to exchange information, coordinate investigations, pursue criminal networks, and strengthen victim protection.

He explained that suspected trafficking cases are handled through professional procedures that safeguard victims by providing healthcare, psychological support, legal assistance, confidentiality, and safe shelter in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development.

Al Quraishi noted that the Anti-Human Trafficking Law provides stringent penalties, including imprisonment ranging from three to ten years and fines between RO 5,000 and RO 100,000, with sentences increasing to seven to fifteen years in aggravated cases involving children, organized criminal groups, or public officials.

The law also permits courts to confiscate proceeds and tools used in trafficking offences and suspend the activities of legal entities found responsible.

He added that digital transformation and artificial intelligence have become valuable tools in combating trafficking through monitoring fraudulent job advertisements, analysing data, detecting risks early, and facilitating communication with victims through instant translation technologies.

Al Quraishi called on employers and recruitment agencies to comply fully with labour regulations by providing transparent employment contracts, paying wages on time, respecting working hours, safeguarding workers’ rights, refraining from confiscating passports, ensuring suitable accommodation and healthcare, and reporting suspected trafficking cases.

He stressed that misuse or sale of employment visas carries legal consequences and should be strictly avoided.

He noted that workers violating labour or residency regulations, particularly domestic workers, remain among the groups most vulnerable to trafficking, alongside children exploited in isolated begging cases.

He affirmed that the Royal Oman Police, in cooperation with the Public Prosecution and relevant authorities, continues to regularize victims’ legal status, secure their rights, and provide the necessary support and protection.

Al Quraishi concluded by emphasizing the importance of community awareness, noting that the Royal Oman Police regularly organizes workshops, lectures, awareness campaigns, and media programmes across television, radio, and social media platforms to strengthen public understanding and prevent human trafficking.

Brigadier General Jamal bin Habib Al Quraishi, Director General of Criminal Investigation and Research at the Royal Oman Police, called on members of society to contribute to combating this crime by reporting suspected cases through official channels, not dealing with intermediaries or unlicensed recruitment offices, verifying job offers before accepting them, respecting workers’ rights, raising awareness of the dangers of human trafficking and ways to prevent it, directing victims to the competent authorities, and cooperating with security authorities during investigations, in a way that contributes to protecting society and promoting human dignity. Celebrating this day is an opportunity to renew the international commitment to combat human trafficking, raise awareness of its various forms, emphasize the importance of concerted national and international efforts to reduce it, protect the most vulnerable groups, and ensure that victims receive the necessary protection and care.