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Hisham Aljundi
Doha
In line with its commitment to international conventions on human rights, Qatar on Monday celebrated the World Day against Trafficking in Persons with the attendance of representatives of NGOs and international organisations.
The celebration was also attended by representatives from Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA), Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders involved in the field.
Other representatives at the ceremony were from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) office in Doha, US Embassy in Qatar and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the GCC.
Speaking on the occasion, Houtan Homayounpour, head of ILO office in Doha, said 25 percent of the human trafficking victims are children and around $150bn is made as profits from this illegal trade worldwide.
He praised Qatar's role and cooperation in combating human trafficking, highlighted the great efforts Qatar has made through its National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT) established last year.
"Around five out of 1,000 people are exposed to human trafficking in the world and 17,880 cases were reported on human trafficking. Only 7,000 were dealt with. This makes it imperative on us to move forward and join efforts to combat this illegal trade," Homayounpour stated.
He also lauded Qatar's signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States of America on dealing with human trafficking cases, as well as the opening of an ILO office in Qatar, reflecting the seriousness of the State in dealing with this crime and contributing to its regional and international elimination.
On his part, Khalifa al Abdullah, member of the NCCHT, explained the committee's programme which included the launch of a comprehensive campaign to educate labourers in Qatar on their rights and reach to them in their camps.
He added that the committee's programme also included the establishment of the UN fund to combat human trafficking and Qatar was the biggest donor to that fund.
"We prepare annual reports to the UN on human trafficking cases in Qatar and we carry out seminars and awareness campaigns to combat it," he said.
At the end of the ceremony, some guests representing different bodies that had collaborated with the NCCHT for their efforts and effective contributions were honoured.
