OMAN REACTS POSITIVELY TO SUGGESTED ANTI-TIP

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001119 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR G/TIP, NEA/ARP, DRL STATE PASS USTR FOR J. BUNTIN, A. ROSENBERG, AND L. KARESH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SMIG PHUM ELAB KCRM PGOV MU SUBJECT: OMAN REACTS POSITIVELY TO SUGGESTED ANTI-TIP ACTIONS REF: A. MUSCAT 1084 ¶B. MUSCAT 1014 ¶C. MUSCAT 1004 ¶D. MUSCAT 907 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. In a July 16 meeting with the Ambassador, MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi undertook to review SIPDIS suggested actions to improve upon Oman's TIER 2 Watch List ranking in the Department's 2006 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. These actions include passing specific anti-TIP legislation, creating an anti-trafficking intra-agency committee, engaging in an aggressive public awareness campaign, and supporting shelters already operating in an informal capacity. End Summary. -------------- Why Tier 2 Watch List? -------------- ¶2. Considerably subdued since the June 5 delivery (reftel D) of the 2006 TIP report, the MFA Under Secretary (deputy-minister equivalent) received the Ambassador July 16 to discuss Oman's TIER 2 Watch List ranking. Although the MFA initially criticized the report as "unfair, arrogant and full of lies," the Ambassador noted that the report presented a fair assessment based on Oman's lack of anti-TIP legislation, victim protection services, and TIP prosecutions. -------------- What Can We Do? -------------- ¶3. The Ambassador underscored the TIP report's importance and suggested several steps that Oman could take to improve its ranking, such as passing specific anti-TIP legislation, creating an anti-trafficking intra-agency committee, launching an aggressive public awareness campaign, and supporting shelters already operating in an informal capacity. To support these efforts, the Ambassador offered Embassy assistance in facilitating a visit by Omani officials to the United States to learn more about international techniques in screening for possible victims of human trafficking. Such a program would also include visits to shelters and the offices of non-governmental organizations and other support services that aid victims of trafficking (reftels B and C). ¶4. Given the considerable size of the expatriate labor population in Oman, the Ambassador noted that the government should proactively address the alleged withholding of passports by employers. Although there is widespread belief that this practice is illegal based on Article 18 of the Basic Law, which notes that "personal freedom is guaranteed within the limits of the law," there is no explicit law on the books prohibiting the withholding of passports. (Note: The practice of withholding passports, however, is interpreted as illegal by the courts. End Note.) Admittedly left open for broad interpretation, the Under Secretary said that the respective ministries must provide the implementing legislation of the Basic Law. He hinted that the Ministry of Manpower is likely to issue ministerial decrees on this issue shortly, given the recent amendments to the Labor Law (reftel A). -------------- Positive Response -------------- ¶5. The Under Secretary responded positively to the suggestions and agreed that outreach and public awareness campaigns are vital components in educating the public regarding their rights and responsibilities. He said that the government wants to ensure Oman complies with its international commitments and will review the suggestions for possible areas of improvement. GRAPPO