TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS DISCUSSIONS WITH OMAN

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000672 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR G/TIP, DRL, NEA/RA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KCRM SMIG ELAB PREL KPAO MU SUBJECT: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS DISCUSSIONS WITH OMAN REF: 05 MUSCAT 1050 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In recent discussions with the Ambassador, Omani government officials pledged cooperation on trafficking in persons queries, including arranging a visit to a deportation detention facility in May. The Inspector General of the Royal Oman Police noted that 80-100 migrant smugglers are arrested and convicted yearly. Officials reiterated interest in participating in TIP-related International Visitor programs and touring USG deportation facilities. End summary. -------------- Iranian Boat Captains -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In the Embassy's continuing efforts to engage in dialog on trafficking in persons (TIP),the Ambassador raised the topics in recent meetings with senior Omani officials. In his April 22 courtesy call on the Inspector General of the Royal Oman Police (ROP),Lt.Gen. Malik al-Maamari responded to the Embassy's standing request to visit the deportation detention facility in Sohar, saying a visit will be arranged in May. He noted that Oman arrests, on average, 80-100 human smugglers each year. The smugglers, almost always Iranian captains of smuggling boats that bring illegal South Asian migrants into Oman en route to work in the UAE, are sentenced to 2-3 years in prison and have their property confiscated and sold at auction. Dozens of illegal migrants are interdicted daily, the ROP commander noted. All are eventually repatriated at Omani expense once their identity is confirmed. -------------- MFA Seeks Engagement -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador also raised TIP issues in his April 25 meeting with Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, seeking Omani government cooperation in Embassy efforts to get a complete and accurate picture of TIP concerns in Oman. The Ambassador likewise urged Oman to ensure safe conditions on the ships returning deportees to Pakistan in light of recent ferry disasters in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. Sayyid Badr expressed his firm support for cooperating with the USG on TIP, saying the Sultanate is always keen to improve its processes, and that any state has a moral and humanitarian obligation to ensure that people are not exploited by traffickers. In this light, he reiterated Oman's interest in visiting deportation facilities in the U.S. to get a sense of best practices (reftel),noting that Oman and the U.S. face a similar problem of controlling illegal immigration. He also said that he will inform the Embassy of the specific date for the deportation center visit once notified by the ROP. -------------- International Visitor Interest -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Embassy received a diplomatic note on April 15 forwarding a query from Oman's Ministry of Manpower as to whether it would be possible for more than one person to participate in a State Department-funded International Visitor program on trafficking in persons. (Note: We are hopeful at least one Omani nominee will be selected for the program. End note.) GRAPPO