Vienna: The State of Qatar has underscored the necessity of a collective approach in tackling cross-border human trafficking, emphasizing a strategy rooted in partnership and coordination. This approach involves a strategic distribution of roles and responsibilities to achieve significant and lasting impacts on the ground.
According to Qatar News Agency, this statement was delivered by His Excellency Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi, Qatar's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna. His remarks were made during a high-level Gulf side event on the sidelines of the 34th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, which focused on enhancing cooperation between source and destination countries in preventing human trafficking.
His Excellency highlighted that human trafficking is a crime against human dignity and worsens developmental, economic, and social challenges. He pointed out that it is a global issue with severe repercussions, especially in less-developed countries or those facing humanitarian crises. This crime stands as a gross violation of human rights as outlined in religious teachings and international conventions.
From this perspective, His Excellency noted that Qatar has prioritized the fight against this crime, aligning it with its National Vision 2030, which emphasizes social justice and the protection of individuals from all forms of exploitation. Qatar has demonstrated this commitment through institutional and legislative measures, including the formation of the National Committee For Counter Trafficking. This committee coordinates national efforts to monitor and prevent human trafficking and implements a comprehensive national strategy based on prevention, protection, prosecution, and international partnership.
The committee recently introduced its National Plan (2024-2026), aiming to unify national efforts from government bodies and civil society organizations to combat human trafficking. This initiative is grounded in Qatar's commitment to Islamic law, the constitution, and laws that prohibit any form of human dignity degradation while emphasizing human rights respect.
His Excellency Al Hammadi pointed out the committee's commitment to developing a robust victim protection system, which includes identifying and supporting victims, establishing specialized shelters, training relevant personnel, and launching multilingual awareness campaigns targeting at-risk groups.
Believing that success in combating human trafficking is achievable only through cooperation between source and destination countries, Qatar has focused on building partnerships based on mutual respect and knowledge exchange. These efforts involve enhancing best practices, particularly in collaboration with United Nations agencies and related entities.
His Excellency reaffirmed that addressing human trafficking is integral to the sustainable development agenda, particularly Goal 8.7, which aims to eradicate forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor in all forms. He emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved without protecting human rights and ensuring justice for the most vulnerable against exploitation.
His Excellency reiterated Qatar's commitment to continue working with international partners to develop an effective collaborative approach that contributes to promoting justice, safeguarding human dignity, and building a safer, fairer world.