Thursday 09 / April / 2026
Muscat: The costs of supporting the victims of human trafficking could be met by a national fund specially set up for that purpose.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Shuwain Al Hosni, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) agreed with the need for a fund which would cover the victims’ travel, living expenses and education, while they testify in court proceedings.
Sheikh Abdullah Al Hosni said during a discussion on human trafficking: “We agree with the recommendation of starting a national fund for human trafficking victims.”
“I suggest holding smaller sessions, where the different groups concerned with this issue can meet to discuss this fund and other procedures related to the spending costs as well as providing means for them to rebuild their lives or return home without losing everything”
This came after Assistant Public Prosecutor Nasser Al Riyami suggested the implementation of such a fund in Oman which, he said could be both publicly and privately financed. Al Riyami said, “This can be added to the recommendations of the seminars. The fund can be financed by the country at large, and can also accept contributions from society and good Samaritans.”
Safia al Aisri, the Section Head of the temporary shelter Dar al Wifaq, said that there are costs for the victims of human trafficking that are currently being paid for by the Ministry of Social Development. “The food requirements alone reach around OMR3,000 per month,” she said, “and there are other associated costs.”
Currently, some outside sources contribute to this spending. “Al Rahma association is nearby. We speak to them every month and they provide OMR200 per month,” Al Aisri added.
Some victims of human trafficking spend a long time in Dar al Wifaq, during which time the Ministry of Social Development provides with funding, meals, shelter, and weekly phone calls back home.
Marwah Al Balushi, a legal adviser at the Family Protection division at the Ministry of Social Development, told Times of Oman about a typical case.
“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.”
“We should not place winning that case above the victim’s best interests unless the woman is also accused of a crime,” Al Riyami added.
