AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES TRAFFICKING WITH MFA UNDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001657 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR DEPARTMENT NEA/ARP, DRL AND G/TIP E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2016 TAGS: ELAB KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG MU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES TRAFFICKING WITH MFA UNDER SECRETARY SIPDIS REF: A. MUSCAT 1599 ¶B. MUSCAT 1635 ¶C. MUSCAT 0907 ¶D. MUSCAT 1119 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) During a November 26 meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, the Ambassador asked for an update on steps Oman has taken to address Trafficking in Persons (TIP) concerns, and reiterated Post's request for TIP-related statistics, including investigations or prosecutions of trafficking crimes. The Ambassador also asked for confirmation of reports that Oman has established an inter-agency technical committee to review TIP issues (ref A). ¶2. (C) The Under Secretary doubted that the government had the specific data necessary to fulfill Post's request for statistics, but promised that the MFA would continue to inquire among respective ministries for relevant information. He said that while the Omani government currently has mechanisms that allow ministries and law enforcement officials to collaborate on anti-TIP measures, he did not believe that a new committee with a specific TIP mandate had been formed. The Under Secretary added that Oman takes TIP allegations seriously, but asserted that conditions for migrant workers in Oman are better than in neighboring countries - referring, for instance, to a recent report by Human Rights Watch on the poor conditions facing foreign workers in the UAE's construction sector (ref B). He also confirmed that Oman firmly supports efforts by the GCC to draft model legislation to combat trafficking. ¶3. (C) Comment: While the Omani government remains willing to engage Post on TIP issues, it continues to move slowly on improving its anti-TIP regime. Post will continue to press government officials to seriously consider and implement measures contained in the Ambassador's suggested action plan to combat trafficking (ref D). End comment. GRAPPO