Doha – The International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s mission in Qatar and the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar (NHRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 June 2021. The aim is to boost coordination in promoting human rights, migrant rights and combatting human trafficking.

This MoU will strengthen joint efforts by ushering a new area of close collaboration between the two organizations on issues of mutual interest, particularly related to enhancing capacities to combat trafficking in persons.

“Such joint cooperation with NHRC marks an important new phase of formalizing the excellent partnership between our two organizations,” said Iman Ereiqat, IOM Qatar Chief of Mission. “The partnership with the Qatari NHRC is a valuable one, especially given the pivotal role that the committee has played in advocating on behalf of various vulnerable groups. IOM looks forward to a fruitful partnership for the benefit of migrants and the state of Qatar.”

This week Qatar has been upgraded in the US state report on Trafficking in Person (TiP) 2021 and the recognition of the efforts of the state of Qatar in combatting human trafficking and the designation of H.E. Undersecretary of Labor Affairs Mohammed Al Obeidly as Trafficking In Person Report (#TIP) Hero.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow over all areas of human rights, including the issue of the increase in human trafficking crimes around the world,” said Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee. “The memorandum of cooperation between the National Human Rights Committee and the International Organization for Migration comes within the framework of achieving common goals between the two sides in terms of upgrading the protection of human rights and preserving dignity, and mobilizing the energies of society around understanding and exercising their rights and duties”.

The State of Qatar has shown commitment by announcing positive measures including the ones announced last year including dismantling the sponsorship system, enacting new laws to remove the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) that, previously, migrant workers were required to obtain from an employer if they wished to change jobs, and introducing a non-discriminatory minimum wage. Qatar has also increased its capacities to prosecute and convict perpetrators of human trafficking.

Migrant workers who fall victims of trafficking are often exploited by unscrupulous recruiters, who charge exorbitant fees starting from the country of origin. Debt bondage, withheld or delayed salaries, confiscation of documents, restricted freedom of movement, and physical or sexual abuse, are common violations that victims of trafficking experience. This year the Labor Dispute Resolution Committees (LDRCs) reported receiving 2,679 labor related complaints, from which 2,214 resulted in a judiciary verdict.

For more information, please contact: rhamati@iom.int