Need for good care

“There is one case of an Indonesian woman who was released from Dar Al Wifaq just last week, having been here for ten months. The woman is married, has a daughter and had been employed in Oman for 4 years as a domestic worker.

“On a Friday, she left home to transfer some money to her family. Unfortunately, the owner of the taxi she had taken abused her and stole her money. He then sold her to a man from Bangladesh who convinced her that he would be able to get her work for better pay than her earlier salary of OMR150. After that, they locked her in a room for five days before the man handed her over to a third person.

“The woman was rescued and taken to Dar Al Wifaq. She cooperated with the courts in three sessions, the last of which took place on 25 February. This woman is still in Oman and will continue to work under a different sponsor.”

Meanwhile, human trafficking victims should not be treated as prisoners while in shelters, according to the Assistant Public Prosecutor, and their emotional and mental state must be carefully looked after.

Nasser Al Riyami said, “Unfortunately, we deal with human trafficking victims as if they were in a prison. If I put a human trafficking victim between four walls, and then they cannot come and go from that building, then that is like a prison.”

The Assistant Public Prosecutor highlighted the psychological difficulties and emotions of these victims who, at times, wait months or even years for their cases to be completed.

“Cases last a long time. If a victim agrees to become a witness for us, to help us in our legal case, then that witness should be treated as a willing volunteer. On the other hand, if the victim would prefer to return home, we cannot keep her as a witness against her will.”