The event, with the themeTowards Deep Awareness of Human Trafficking Problems, is sponsored by the United Development Company, Qatar Petroleum and q-Media.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, the manager of the shelter, Maryam al-Malki, who is also the director of the National Office for Combating Trafficking in Humans (NOCTH), said there is a great need for the conference as issues of trafficking in humans continue to become worse.
There is an increase in demand for labour in the region and also some Arab countries have suffered conflicts, which are affecting their security and economic situation, and as a result some people take advantage of this situation by exploiting and violating the rights of others, she said
Therefore, it is important to take measures and precautions and also prepare to tackle this issue in a scientific way while taking into consideration the issues of equality and human rights.
The target of the workshop is to deepen awareness of trafficking in human beings and its effects and consequences on other factors, such as organised crimes.
She mentioned that measures to be considered during the conference will include adding human rights to educational curriculum.
There should be a syllabus for trafficking in humans at the general education levels, said al-Malki.
On this, we will enhance and ensure co-operation among interested sectors, international institutions, governmental and non-governmental organisations to combat human trafficking and exchange information among the Arabs and foreign universities, in order to raise proposals and recommendations that can activate their roles and bring about serious participation”, she said.
She highlighted some key points the conference will follow while proposing inclusion of human trafficking in schools curricula.
We should identify the key concepts regarding human trafficking, its effects and different dimensions taking into consideration the level of awareness among students, the development of the course in all the institutions and provide all possibilities and opportunities to make the course easier and understandable.
She emphasised that training of teachers and tutors should be given priority, as well as making use of curricula and extra-curricular activities, while adding that the role of civil society organisations will also be projected.
The Dean of College of Law in QU, Dr Hassan al-Sayed said the increasing activities of human trafficking around the world are at a drastic level.
He said the situation, a new phenomenon involving international prostitution, pornographic publications, transplantation of human organs and so on, requires awareness not only at the international level, but at both national and regional levels.
We should take proper procedure to tackle this issue, a modern phenomenon, which is emerging as a consequence or result of globalisation, transitions at different political or economic levels and even armed conflicts, al-Sayed pointed out.
If we must overcome this phenomenon, there should be well-trained personnel on ground including prison and judicial personnel, lawyers and judges and other officers responsible for human rights in governmental and non-governmental offices, so also legal tools and instruments to carry out the scientific process of solving the problems,he said.
According to him, the conference will have two major sections with the first one dealing with concept of human trafficking and its socio-political and economic dimensions, while the other session will discuss international and regional efforts to combat trafficking in human beings.
Emphasis will also be laid on the importance of incorporating the study of human trafficking in the university and other institutions, as well as the role of religious institutions on sharing information and raising awareness,he added.
