Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman joins tomorrow other countries of the world in observing World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, marked annually on 30 July, underscoring the importance of enhancing international efforts to combat and prevent this transnational crime, protect its victims, and support human rights.
According to Oman News Agency, Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, stated that World Day Against Trafficking in Persons represents an opportunity to renew collective commitment to safeguarding human dignity and protecting individuals from various forms of exploitation and coercion. He emphasized that human trafficking is not only a violation of the law, but also a direct assault on human freedom and rights.
He added that the Sultanate of Oman addresses human trafficking through an integrated national approach based on prevention, protection, prosecution, and institutional partnership, placing victims' rights and safety at the core of its response. The enactment of the Law on Combating Human Trafficking under Royal Decree No. 78/2025 reinforced this approach, keeping pace with emerging methods of this crime and expanding the scope of protection provided to victims.
This year's theme, "Trapped in the Fraud Trap," highlights one of the rapidly growing forms of this crime, which involves luring individuals with fake job offers and subsequently subjecting them to exploitation and coercion into committing online fraud. This evolution requires tighter international cooperation, regular exchange of information and expertise, and cross-border judicial and security coordination.
Al Harthy reaffirmed that the Sultanate of Oman continues to work with its regional and international partners to prevent this crime, protect victims of human trafficking, and hold perpetrators accountable, thereby preserving human dignity and reinforcing the rule of law.
Brigadier Jamal Habib Al Quraishi, Director General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), noted that this observance aims to raise community awareness regarding the dangers of human trafficking and its impact on individuals and society. It seeks to raise awareness about prevention methods and mechanisms for reporting suspected cases, protect victims, and enhance the efforts of law enforcement agencies and international cooperation to confront this crime.
According to Al Quraishi, human trafficking crimes in the Sultanate of Oman remain limited and low in number, with all forms of exploitation firmly confronted in accordance with the law while prioritizing victim protection and support. The Royal Oman Police, in cooperation with the Public Prosecution and competent government authorities, works to monitor, combat, and curb these crimes in their various forms.
He highlighted that during this year, the Royal Oman Police succeeded in dismantling a criminal network specialized in luring and exploiting individuals to smuggle narcotics into various countries by deceiving victims with promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad. The operation resulted in the arrest of the gang members in Muscat Governorate after tracking one victim who arrived at Muscat International Airport carrying narcotics inside his body.
The Directorate General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations, in cooperation with the Public Prosecution and relevant government bodies, monitors and combats these crimes through an integrated system that includes monitoring and analysis, receiving reports, gathering evidence, and early detection of human trafficking indicators. This cooperation extends to international and regional organizations, such as the International Criminal Police Organization, the GCC Police Force, the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, Europol, and a number of non-governmental organizations.
Whenever a human trafficking crime is suspected, it is handled according to professional procedures that ensure victim protection and safeguard their rights. This includes providing medical and psychological care, legal assistance, maintaining data confidentiality, and providing safe shelter in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development.
The Law on Combating Human Trafficking issued by Royal Decree No. 78/2025 includes deterrent penalties for perpetrators of human trafficking crimes. The penalties are increased if aggravating circumstances are present, such as targeting children, commission by an organized criminal group, or involvement of a public official.
Brigadier Jamal Habib Al Quraishi called on community members to contribute to combating this crime by reporting suspected cases through official channels, refraining from dealing with unlicensed brokers or recruitment offices, verifying job offers before accepting them, and respecting workers' rights.
The celebration of this day serves as an occasion to renew the international commitment to combating human trafficking, raise awareness of its various forms, and emphasize the importance of combining national and international efforts to curb it, protect groups most vulnerable to exploitation, and ensure the provision of necessary protection and care for victims.
