Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DOHA727
2009-12-20 12:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Doha
Cable title:
2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR QATAR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0039 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHDO #0727 3541211 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 201211Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9581 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS DOHA 000727
SIPDIS
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/RA AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KTIP ELAB QA
SUBJECT: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR QATAR
REF: STATE 112489
UNCLAS DOHA 000727
SIPDIS
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/RA AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KTIP ELAB QA
SUBJECT: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR QATAR
REF: STATE 112489
1. (SBU) Post presents the following update in response to
reftelrequest for a summary of GOQ progress on selected
anti-trafficking
issues.
2. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack
thereof, the Government of Qatar has made in enacting the
draft comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation.
A: According to Dr. Ali Al Marri, Chairman of the National
Human Rights Committee, the draft legislation is still
waiting the approval of the Advisory Council. He pledged
to raise the issue with MFA Minister of State for
International Cooperation Dr. Khalid Al Attiyah and to
inform Poloff Caudill of any developments. Shortly after
Dr. Al Marri conveyed this information to Poloff Caudill on
November 23, a local English-language newspaper ran a quote
by Myriam Al-Malki, Director of the Qatar Foundation for
Combating Human Trafficking, reiterating Qatar's commitment
to the passage of a comprehensive anti-trafficking law.
Other GOQ officials, most recently MFA Human Rights Officer
Shaykha Sumaya Al Thani on December 16, also have made the
point
that Qatar's April ratification of the UN Anti-TIP Protocol
means that trafficking in persons, as defined in the
Protocol, is now illegal in Qatar. They concede, however,
that the draft legislation must be passed in order to
fulfill Qatar's obligations as a party to the Protocol.
3. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack
thereof, the Government of Qatar has made in significantly
increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking
offenses, and convicting and punishing trafficking
offenders.
A: We have made inquiries at several levels, particularly
at the NHRC. NHRC and the MFA have referred us to the
Ministry of Interior. To our knowledge, Interior does not
prosecute trafficking cases, but it is possible that they do.
The Interior Ministry's actions are shrouded in a veil of
secrecy. The GOQ views these issues as more a matter of
national security than justice, and protects its
information accordingly.
4. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack thereof,
the Government of Qatar has made in instituting and
consistently applying formal procedures to identify victims
of trafficking among vulnerable groups, such as those
arrested for immigration violations or prostitution.
A: The GOQ has provided us with no information concerning
its internal efforts to apply consistently formal
procedures to identify victims of trafficking among
vulnerable groups. However, since May the GOQ has
sponsored several initiatives, including public awareness
campaigns, formal training, and outreach to local labor
attaches, to educate vulnerable populations about their
legal rights against employers.
5. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack
thereof, the Government of Qatar has made in abolishing or
significantly amending provisions of Qatar's sponsorship
law, such as the provision requiring workers to obtain
their sponsor's permission to leave Qatar -- to prevent the
forced labor of migrant workers.
A: There has been no effort to amend provisions of Qatar's
sponsorship law, which was enacted in March 2009.
LeBaron
SIPDIS
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/RA AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KTIP ELAB QA
SUBJECT: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR QATAR
REF: STATE 112489
1. (SBU) Post presents the following update in response to
reftelrequest for a summary of GOQ progress on selected
anti-trafficking
issues.
2. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack
thereof, the Government of Qatar has made in enacting the
draft comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation.
A: According to Dr. Ali Al Marri, Chairman of the National
Human Rights Committee, the draft legislation is still
waiting the approval of the Advisory Council. He pledged
to raise the issue with MFA Minister of State for
International Cooperation Dr. Khalid Al Attiyah and to
inform Poloff Caudill of any developments. Shortly after
Dr. Al Marri conveyed this information to Poloff Caudill on
November 23, a local English-language newspaper ran a quote
by Myriam Al-Malki, Director of the Qatar Foundation for
Combating Human Trafficking, reiterating Qatar's commitment
to the passage of a comprehensive anti-trafficking law.
Other GOQ officials, most recently MFA Human Rights Officer
Shaykha Sumaya Al Thani on December 16, also have made the
point
that Qatar's April ratification of the UN Anti-TIP Protocol
means that trafficking in persons, as defined in the
Protocol, is now illegal in Qatar. They concede, however,
that the draft legislation must be passed in order to
fulfill Qatar's obligations as a party to the Protocol.
3. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack
thereof, the Government of Qatar has made in significantly
increasing efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking
offenses, and convicting and punishing trafficking
offenders.
A: We have made inquiries at several levels, particularly
at the NHRC. NHRC and the MFA have referred us to the
Ministry of Interior. To our knowledge, Interior does not
prosecute trafficking cases, but it is possible that they do.
The Interior Ministry's actions are shrouded in a veil of
secrecy. The GOQ views these issues as more a matter of
national security than justice, and protects its
information accordingly.
4. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack thereof,
the Government of Qatar has made in instituting and
consistently applying formal procedures to identify victims
of trafficking among vulnerable groups, such as those
arrested for immigration violations or prostitution.
A: The GOQ has provided us with no information concerning
its internal efforts to apply consistently formal
procedures to identify victims of trafficking among
vulnerable groups. However, since May the GOQ has
sponsored several initiatives, including public awareness
campaigns, formal training, and outreach to local labor
attaches, to educate vulnerable populations about their
legal rights against employers.
5. (SBU) Q: Please summarize the progress, or lack
thereof, the Government of Qatar has made in abolishing or
significantly amending provisions of Qatar's sponsorship
law, such as the provision requiring workers to obtain
their sponsor's permission to leave Qatar -- to prevent the
forced labor of migrant workers.
A: There has been no effort to amend provisions of Qatar's
sponsorship law, which was enacted in March 2009.
LeBaron