Jordan: Workshop on human trafficking highlights role of religious institutions

The role that religious institutions can play in combating human trafficking in Jordan was a key discussion topic at workshop ringing together all national stakeholders, reports The Jordan Times.

The workshop – ‘Working together to fight trafficking in persons’ – was held in Amman on 4-5 July 2011 and jointly organised by the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR), the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development and the Protection Project at the US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Speaking at the opening session of the event, HRH Princess Basma underlined the important role that religious institutions can play to combat human trafficking, through raising public awareness of the crime and its impact on individuals and the community.

While highlighting progress made in the Kingdom to counter trafficking, Princess Basma noted that more still needed to be done, including efforts in education and coordination between public and private sector groups.

She also highlighted the importance of ensuring social justice for groups vulnerable to extortion and threat, such as women and children or those forced to migrate in pursuit of a better life for their families or due to conflict situations in their countries.

In his address, Protection Project Executive Director Mohammad Mattar said the Arab Charter on Human Rights clearly prohibits trafficking in persons or organs and using individuals in medical experiments.

He also noted that the Arab League has adopted a comprehensive strategy on combating trafficking in persons based on which the Arab parliament is currently drafting a law that criminalises the perpetrators and protects the victims.

On the sidelines of the workshop, NCHR Commissioner General Muhyiddine Touq told The Jordan Times that the NCHR registered 32 human trafficking cases in 2010.

He cited poverty as one of the main reasons that some individuals unwillingly become involved in crimes such as organ trafficking.

"Trafficking in persons exists in 127 countries around the world. Combating this crime is a social responsibility that requires all public and private sector entities to unify their efforts," Dr Touq said.

The aim of the workshop was to assess the Kingdom’s anti-trafficking legislation against regional and international standards.

Participants also discussed current implementation of the National Strategy to Prohibit Human Trafficking and recommendations to further enhance its effectiveness.

Date: 4 July 2011