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

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SUMMARY
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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.

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Why Tier 2 Watch List?
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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.

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What Can We Do?
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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).

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Positive Response
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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