Doha, September 15 (QNA) - The Ministry of Labour, represented by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, in partnership with the National Human Rights Committee, organised the first workshop on the National Referral System, entitled "National Referral System for Combating Human Trafficking: Protecting and Rehabilitating Victims and Promoting Human Rights."
In her opening remarks at the introductory workshop, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Secretary-General of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani affirmed that the
launch of the National Referral System represents an important step in the State of Qatar's efforts to strengthen its national framework for combating this crime, protecting its victims and ensuring a more integrated and effective response. She noted that the relevant authorities in Qatar have, over the years, worked to establish specialized systems, procedures and expertise in the areas of prevention, identification of cases, protection and care, law enforcement and prosecution, alongside effective partnerships with non-governmental entities and relevant institutions.
She noted that human trafficking is a complex and evolving crime by nature, and is among the crimes that rapidly adapt to changing circumstances and exploit developments in methods of exploitation and ways of luring victims. She stressed that the response to such crimes must be equally flexible and capable of continuous development, and must not be limited to addressing known patterns of crime, but should also be capable of keeping pace with the challenges that may arise in the future.
She highlighted the importance of the National Referral System, explaining that it is not merely a set of procedures, but rather a practical framework that clarifies how the respective roles are interconnected, when each entity should intervene, and how cases are referred between the relevant entities, thereby ensuring that there are no gaps in the response or duplication of roles.
She noted that the System was not a static framework whose development ends once it is launched. Rather, the aim is for it to grow and evolve in parallel with the development of our institutions and expertise, adapt to continuous changes in the nature and methods of human trafficking, and benefit from practical experience and lessons learned from its implementation in order to ensure its continuous development.
She added that the launch of the System represents an important institutional transition, not because it establishes an entirely new system, but because it consolidates what has already been developed, brings it together within a unified framework, strengthens integration among its components, and prepares it to evolve in line with our changing needs and challenges. She added that the ultimate strength of the System will depend on the extent to which it is implemented in practice. A system does not succeed merely by being adopted; rather, it succeeds when each entity understands its own role and those of the other entities, and when referral, coordination and cooperation become clear and prompt practices in dealing with cases.
In his remarks during the opening session, HE Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali said that the National Referral System for Combating Human Trafficking embodies the principles of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar and is consistent with the legislative measures, public policies and procedures adopted by the State to safeguard human dignity and protect human rights, particularly those of the most vulnerable groups. He noted that the National Referral System constitutes an extension of efforts to implement the undertakings and obligations set out in the international treaties to which the State is a party.
He also affirmed the National Human Rights Committee's welcome for the adoption of the National Referral System and the measures it provides for protecting victims, providing legal assistance and delivering the various forms of support and rehabilitation they require, while reinforcing the principle of combating impunity by bringing accused persons before fair trials. Al Jammali said that the National Referral System requires a comprehensive approach based on integration and coordination among all competent entities to ensure a rapid response and effective action in addressing all cases of human trafficking.
He noted that the National Human Rights Committee will continue its role in advancing frameworks for the prevention of all forms of exploitation and human trafficking and contributing to aligning national measures with recognized international standards. It will also continue to bridge relations between official structures and various stakeholders through its specialized units for the rights of groups requiring priority protection and the community offices operating under its supervision, in addition to its ongoing efforts to anticipate challenges and examine global developments affecting human rights, such as the unethical uses of artificial intelligence and the adverse impacts of climate change, among other factors that may create a conducive environment for the emergence of new forms of human trafficking.
The workshop forms part of the joint efforts of the Ministry of Labour, represented by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, and the National Human Rights Committee to enhance the effective implementation of the National Referral System and strengthen the readiness of relevant entities to deal with human trafficking cases in accordance with the approved procedures and mechanisms.
The workshop aims to familiarise participants with the operation of the National Referral System and the stages involved in handling cases, from their identification through to referral and the provision of the necessary protection and support. It also seeks to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the relevant entities and the mechanisms for coordination among them, thereby ensuring a prompt and effective response to cases. (QNA)