The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Bedaiwi, emphasized the regional and international praise for the efforts of the GCC countries in combating human trafficking. The GCC Forum has been instrumental in shaping a unified Gulf vision on combating this crime, taking into account the economic and geographical specificities of the member countries and the evolving nature of trafficking, especially with the use of modern technology and transnational organized crime networks.
During the opening of the sixth session of the GCC Government Forum on Combating Human Trafficking in the Middle East in Kuwait, Al-Bedaiwi expressed his gratitude to Kuwait for hosting the event and highlighted the country’s commitment to supporting various human rights issues. He commended the collective efforts and achievements of the GCC countries in combatting human trafficking, including the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Document in 2006 and the Human Rights Declaration in 2014, as well as the ratification of the Palermo Protocol by all GCC states.
Al-Bedaiwi also mentioned the enactment of national laws criminalizing human trafficking, the establishment of specialized national mechanisms, the provision of shelters, hotlines, referral systems, training for security and judicial personnel, and organizational reforms in the labor market to regulate migrant employment. Additionally, he stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation with organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, International Organization for Migration, and International Labour Organization in implementing joint preventive and awareness programs.
Referring to Resolution No. (8-1) issued by the tenth meeting of the GCC Ministers of Labor, Al-Bedaiwi highlighted the directive to update the joint Gulf vision to combat forced labor and human trafficking. He announced that an executive dialogue session would be organized during the forum to kick off the first phase of updating this vision.
In conclusion, Al-Bedaiwi called for the collective efforts of countries to address challenges, deepen coordination, sustain collective action, particularly in combating cross-border crimes that exploit vulnerable groups such as women, children, and migrants. He reaffirmed the GCC countries’ steadfast commitment to combating human trafficking in all its forms, enhancing legislative and regulatory frameworks, and strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure victim protection, perpetrator prosecution, and the promotion of justice and human rights.
