Gulf Arab Countries Confront Human Trafficking Problems

State Department report evaluates anti-trafficking efforts worldwide

Three Gulf Arab countries have been elevated from the lowest ranks of offenders to an intermediate ranking in the State Department's 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report.

Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were raised from Tier 3 countries, the least favorable rating, to the Tier 2 "Watch List" in the new report to the U.S. Congress issued June 5.

The report evaluates foreign governments' efforts to eliminate human trafficking, grouping nations in one of four categories based on their efforts to control human trafficking, to prosecute those involved, and to support and assist victims of these crimes.

Governments that meet standards established in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 are placed in Tier 1. Tier 2 comprises countries that are demonstrating commitment to address their problems but have not yet achieved international standards. Tier 2 "Watch List" includes countries that show signs of falling backwards, while governments not making significant efforts to meet the standards are placed in Tier 3. Saudi Arabia is the only remaining Gulf Arab country in Tier 3. (See related article.)

Gulf Arab countries are a common destination for South and Southeast Asians who serve as domestic workers and unskilled laborers. These workers often fall victim to involuntary servitude, excessive hours, nonpayment of wages, physical abuse, sexual abuse and passport confiscation. These countries also have tolerated trafficking of children to work as camel jockeys, according to the report.

The report welcomed proposed measures in Kuwait to standardize contracts for domestic workers and hailed the government's commitment to enact legislation that would criminalize exploitation of foreign workers. Within the past year, Kuwait has assigned the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor the task of coordinating the government's anti-trafficking activities.

According to the report, Kuwait also took steps toward implementing anti-trafficking measures by enforcing a ban on child camel jockeys and prosecuting some employers for labor rights abuses. The report said that an association of Kuwaiti labor recruitment agencies has taken steps to defend foreign workers' rights.

Qatar confronted the problem of child trafficking by repatriating numerous child camel jockeys, according to the report. It also established a shelter for abused domestic workers and created a hotline for complaints.

The United Arab Emirates banned the practice of using child camel jockeys and repatriated all identified victims to their home countries. Both the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have launched anti-trafficking public awareness campaigns.

Saudi Arabia remained in Tier 3 for its unwillingness to confront the issue of human trafficking. The report said Saudi Arabia sometimes arrests, punishes and deports victims rather than protecting them.

Oman fell from Tier 2 to the Tier 2 "Watch List" due to a lack of evidence over the past year that it is increasing efforts to combat trafficking.

The State Department is under a congressional mandate to prepare the annual Trafficking in Persons Report. Countries that rank in tier three are subject to a suspension of nonhumanitarian and nontrade related U.S. assistance.

Source: U.S. Department of State

judythpiazza@gmail.com

   _   _