Doha 3rd Forum on Combating Human Trafficking Concluded

Doha, January 23 (QNA) - Participants in the Doha Third Forum on Combating Human Trafficking, which concluded sessions here today, called for the need to strengthen cooperation and coordination between agencies involved in combating human trafficking in Arab countries including the implementation of the Arab Initiative for Building National Capacities For Combating Human Trafficking. In recommendations issued at the close of the Forum, the participants also called for Arab states' cooperation with the Arab League's human trafficking combating unit with regard to the related Arab report, the conclusion of bilateral agreements between labour exporting or receiving Arab countries, activation of the already concluded agreements in order to organize labours' travel, employment, wages and social and health care and to ensure the rights pertaining to the contractual relationship between employers and workers, in order to reduce the phenomenon of human trafficking. The recommendations, read out by Director General of Qatar Foundation For Combating Human Trafficking (QFCHT) Maryam Al-Malki, also called for including the combat of trafficking in human beings within the developmental policies in Arab countries, as well as for the establishment of legal clinics specialized in the fight against human trafficking in Arab countries to train students help victims of human trafficking become aware of their rights and the culture of communal anti-human trafficking. The participants urged Arab states to develop plans and strategies in an integrated scientific method so as to protect , rehabilitate and reintegrate victims of human trafficking crimes, while taking into account the establishment of alliances and local, regional and international partnerships in the form of an integrated system. The recommendations included urging states to provide material support to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking to create a global centre for the protection, rehabilitation and reintegration, further organized scientific efforts related to human rights and persons with disabilities, and the development of multidimensional strategies to face any shortcomings in human rights issues in their different forms. The Participants meanwhile called on governments, international organizations and civil society organizations to monitor the means of communication to address the phenomenon of trafficking in human beings and to minimize its negative impacts. They also urged Arab countries to match their national legislations with the provisions of the Arab Convention against cyber crimes, and develop the work of the concerned authorities and the Internet services providers. The Participants underlined the need to develop a unified Arab vision to combat crimes against anti-human trafficking electronic media and urged Arab states to establish specialized units belonging to the law enforcement agencies to address human trafficking crimes, and activation of the role of civil society organizations and the private sector in Arab countries to play an active role in the fight against human trafficking and in protecting victims in the framework of social responsibility. The recommendations included inviting international organizations to take pre-emptive steps to prevent the trafficking in women and children during wars and armed conflicts, as victims living in conditions conducive to trafficking, to ensure the transfer of the victims and to provide them with safe places. Meanwhile, Board Member of Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking judge Hissa Al-Selaiti said the Doha Third Forum on Combating Human Trafficking was held as part of international and regional efforts and national anti-human trafficking in Arab countries to achieve the goals of the Arab Initiative For Building National Capacities For Combating Human Trafficking which aims to enhance efforts for combating this phenomenon which is alien to Arab societies, and in commitment to the purposes of the United Nations Protocol on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, which encourages states to joint cooperation in the field of prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in human beings. It also aims at providing provision of protection and assistance to victims, especially women and children, and to enhance the efforts of the States Arab in the fight against human trafficking and serious attempts made by governments and civil society organizations, and the private sector to spread the culture and standards of combating human trafficking, Hissa Al-Selaiti said. In the Forum's final communique which she read out at the closing session, Hissa Al-Selaiti said the forum discussed various topics and opinions which covered aspects of the fight against human trafficking, pointing out that the speakers were unanimous on the need to exert more efforts to combat it. She noted that the forum addressed several aspects of recent contemporary trends for combating this phenomenon in the context of the international and Arab system to combat human trafficking, in order to highlight the best relevant practices and to encourage states and institutions adopt more sophisticated and advanced initiatives in this field. She said participants in the forum stressed the need for continued efforts to combat human trafficking through the ongoing and orderly cooperation among all Arab countries, and to build a unified Arab partnership to combat human trafficking because it violates heavenly religions, Arab customs and traditions human rights principles. The participants also underlined the need to strengthen the capacity of workers in the fight against human trafficking in order to enhance and improve operations aimed to combat this phenomenon. Hissa Al-Selaiti expressed thanks and appreciation to HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser for her sponsorship of this forum and her continued support and hard work to protect human rights and to combat human trafficking. She also thanked all the participants who contributed to the events of this forum, whether by participating in the working papers, management of meetings or participation in the discussion or the organization , expressing the hope that this forum would add a new vision about contemporary trends to combat human trafficking. The two-day Doha Third Forum on Combating Human Trafficking was organized by Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Arab League. The Forum was attended by 350 consultants and experts from all over the world. (QNA)