Forced and compulsory labor is a punishable crime under Qatari law on human trafficking, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has reaffirmed. Speaking at a recent awareness webinar titled “Services of the Anti-Human Trafficking Section for the Public,” First Lieutenant Fahad Jassim al-Mansouri of the Criminal Investigation Department highlighted recent cases that underline Qatar’s zero-tolerance policy.

In one case, a barbershop owner of Asian nationality, along with his accountant, was found guilty of forcing three workers from different nationalities into exploitative conditions. The workers were coerced into signing promissory notes under the guise of debt acknowledgment, while being made to work long hours for minimal pay. Following an investigation, the offenders were arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to five years in prison, fined QR100,000 each, deported, and banned from practicing their profession. All confiscated items linked to the crime were seized.

“Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes, inflicting severe psychological, social, and economic harm on victims, many of whom are vulnerable individuals lured by harsh living conditions,” al-Mansouri said. He explained that the Anti-Human Trafficking Section’s duties include investigating and combating such crimes, gathering evidence, and creating public awareness campaigns in collaboration with other authorities.

The Investigation and Follow-up Branch also handles complaints related to forced labor and begging, ensures suspects are brought to justice, and refers victims to the Humanitarian Care Shelter when needed. In confirmed cases of human trafficking, authorities gather evidence, record victim statements, and take swift legal action, including facilitating either the regularization of victims’ status or their safe return to their home countries.

News Courtesy: Gulf Times

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