LIBERIA AND OMAN HOLD PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS  ON THE PROTECTION OF LIBERIAN LADIES HUMAN-TRAFFICKED IN OMAN – LIBERIAN DELEGATION TO VISIT NEXT MONTH

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A high power   delegation of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia,  headed by Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs , is expected to meet with the Omani government next month  on the safety of Liberian ladies  in that Arab Golf Nation.

Speaking via  a zoom meeting Thursday in Monrovia with the Omani Labor Minister, Dr. Mahan bin  Ali Baawain, Liberia Labor Minister, Charles H. Gibson said his office continues to  receive too many complaints of the ill-treatment of Liberian ladies in Oman , including sexual abuse , demand for Ransoms,  brutally,  disappearances,   false imprisonment,  unpaid  salaries , etc which amount to modern-day slavery and an acute violation of a Nation-state’s international obligation to protect foreigners within its border. 

Minister Gibson further expressed concern that despite a commitment made by the Omani Government to the Liberian Government in September of last year not to grant visa to Liberian ladies   seeking domestic employment in Oman   the   flow of Liberian ladies from Liberia and neighboring countries to Oman  continues  unabated.  

Minister Gibson acknowledged that the situation is largely caused by some criminal gangs and individuals operating undercovered  from both countries but observed that the Omani government is not doing much to arrest the situation. He noted that  the Liberian government would like to sit with the Omani government in resolving the issues and put the situation under control for both countries’ mutual  interests.

Minister Gibson further disclosed that a low-income country like Liberia has spent nearly Three Million United States Dollars over the last few years to combat  human trafficking , which is causing serious strain on its budget to have those victims  rescued,  repatriated , rehabilitated and resettled. 

He stressed the need for the Omani government to create a safe environment for the Liberian Ladies while the process of dialogue is taking place between the two countries.

In response, the Omani Labor Minister Dr. Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baawain promised to  work with the Omani Foreign Ministry to receive the Liberian delegation in February to sit on the dialogue table to put things under control for the interest of both countries.

Dr. Baawain expressed regrets that the issue of human trafficking has affected the bilateral relationship between the two countries and committed to working closely with Liberia to identify and root up criminal gang operatives in both countries that are fueling the situation. He also promised to have  the Omani security forces more focused on protecting Liberian ladies in Oman. He alluded to the inflows of Liberian ladies to Oman despite the visa ban to those ladies transiting through third countries and using foreign travel documents to enter Oman.

Meanwhile it was agreed that modalities will be worked out to ensure that the Liberian delegation visits Oman in the middle of February (next month). The delegation will be headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and composed of the Ministers of  Labor, Justice and Gender. The delegation will be expected to spend three days in Oman which visit will include a meeting with the  Liberian community in Oman, presentations and discussions of a  102 page  complaint  complied by the  UNODC and Liberian security apparatus , ensure that  actions are taken by the Omani Government to arrest and prosecute the culprits to service as deterrence. The Liberian  delegation will also receive  and discuss proposals from the Omani government on issues of a MOU to ensure the protection of Liberians working in or seeking to work in Oman, the establishing diplomatic relationships between both countries and other  bilateral interest areas. A high power delegation from the Government of Oman will later this year be visiting Liberia to further strengthen bilateral relationships, including economic and investment opportunities. 

The zoom meeting was facilitated by the Liberia Foreign Minister who is himself a member of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce.