OMAN PREPARING TO DRAFT ANTI-TIP LEGISLATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000193

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G/TIP, NEA/ARP, DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL SMIG KCRM KWMN MU
SUBJECT: OMAN PREPARING TO DRAFT ANTI-TIP LEGISLATION

REF: A. 06 MUSCAT 1119


B. 06 MUSCAT 1575

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) The Ambassador and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi had a frank discussion
on February 21 about trafficking in persons (TIP) and Oman's
lack of progress in addressing the USG's TIP concerns. The
Ambassador informed the Under Secretary that the Embassy is
in the process of preparing the 2006 TIP report, but that
other than some recent labor-related legislation, it had
little new information to help Oman improve upon its current
Tier II Watch List status. The Ambassador also noted that
Oman did not appear to have taken action on the
recommendations in Post's TIP action plan, which he had
presented to the MFA on July 16, 2006 (ref A).


2. (C) Sayyid Badr responded that Oman has taken concrete
steps to address TIP, and that the cabinet recently
instructed the Ministries of Justice and Legal Affairs to
begin drafting anti-TIP legislation. He assured the
Ambassador that the Omani government has "moved beyond
intentions" regarding TIP, and has recognized that adopting
new legislation, as well as strengthening mechanisms to
monitor and enforce legal protections, is in Oman's interests
and necessary to fulfill its international commitments. The
Ambassador urged action on the other suggestions contained in
the proposed action plan, e.g. raising public awareness,
publishing statistics on trafficking-related convictions, and
providing victim assistance services. Sayyid Badr stated
that the Ministry of Manpower is working with the Indian
Embassy in Muscat to design a circular in multiple languages
to help raise workers' awareness about their rights and the
services available to them. He added that the Omani
government also is building a new, centralized detention
center for illegal immigrants, which will provide detainees
with modern facilities and services that meet international
standards.


3. (C) The Ambassador encouraged Oman to make a public
statement regarding its anti-TIP actions to help affirm
Oman's intentions and accomplishments. While Sayyid Badr
suggested that he would discuss this idea with the Minister
Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yousef bin Alawi, he made it
clear that Oman's anti-TIP efforts were not related to the
USG report and that TIP remained a very sensitive issue. He
said that Oman "would not be intimidated" into taking
premature actions that circumvent Oman's deliberative
process. The Ambassador assured Sayyid Badr that the USG was
ready to assist Oman with content for its new law, and
provided him with examples of anti-TIP legislation (earlier
requested by the MFA) that Oman could use as models. The
Ambassador also suggested that Oman consider sending a legal
expert to the United States for TIP consultations.


4. (C) Comment: The Omani government appears finally to
have realized that it needs to take a more proactive stance
in combating TIP. The November 2006 visit of Ambassador
Sigma Huda, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for
Trafficking in Persons (ref B),may have helped wake-up the
Omanis to the fact that TIP is a serious concern of the
international community, not just the U.S. (Note: Ambassador
Huda's official report has not yet been shared with the
Omanis. Post is attempting to obtain its own copy. End
note.) Post will continue to encourage and assist the Omani
government to address TIP, particularly in its efforts to
draft and implement anti-TIP legislation. End comment.
GRAPPO