MINISTER OF LEGAL AFFAIRS EXPECTS ANTI-TIP LAW

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000375 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR G/TIP, NEA/ARP, DRL DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR JIM RUDE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL SMIG KCRM KWMN MU SUBJECT: MINISTER OF LEGAL AFFAIRS EXPECTS ANTI-TIP LAW WITHIN A YEAR REF: MUSCAT 193 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) At an April 15 meeting at the Ministry, the Ambassador pressed Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohammad al Alawi, for information about Oman's proposed anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) legislation and a date when a law could be expected. The Minister stated that his Ministry has begun work on drafting a national anti-TIP law. Anti-TIP legislation was ordered by the Council of Ministers, he said, and he expects the Council to issue the law within one year. ¶2. (C) He explained that his Ministry is working in collaboration with the Ministries of Justice, Manpower, Foreign Affairs and the Royal Oman Police under the directive from the Council of Ministers to complete a draft of the law as soon as possible. The Minister thanked the Ambassador for providing the government with regional examples of anti-TIP legislation, which the Ambassador had passed to the Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs during a February 21 meeting SIPDIS (reftel),and welcomed additional support that could help Oman develop a comprehensive anti-TIP law that incorporates international principles and definitions. ¶3. (C) Comment: Al Alawi's confirmation that the Council of Ministers has made anti-TIP legislation a priority indicates that the subject of trafficking has risen to the attention of the highest levels in the Omani government. Eventual passage of a law will face few, if any, obstacles. Nevertheless, by the Minister's own admission, this is an unfamiliar area to his Ministry and the other organizations involved in the drafting, and we should supply the Omanis with all appropriate guidance and suggestions. End comment. GRAPPO