The Law

Human Trafficking or Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is specifically outlawed in Oman.

The Anti Trafficking Law of 2008 (promulgated by Royal Decree No 126/2008) lays down a minimum punishment of three years in prison and a fine of 5,000 rials for anyone convicted of human trafficking. The maximum punishment is seven years in prison and a fine of 100,000 rials.

However, in aggravated cases, the minimum sentence is seven years’ imprisonment and the maximum is 15 years. The minimum fine is 10,000 rials.

Aggravated cases include those where the victim is under 18, where the crime is committed by more than one person or an organised criminal gang and/or where the crime is transnational.

The law is written to stop all acts of exploitation. Exploitation is defined as the illegal use of a person, including prostitution, any form of sexual exploitation, serfdom, forced labour, enslavement or practices similar to slavery or enslavement or the illegal removal of organs.

Article 2 of the law states that a person will be deemed to commit a human trafficking crime if, for the purpose of exploitation, they “use, transfer shelter or receive a person by coercion, under threat, trick, exploitation of position or power or exploitation of weakness.”

The law also sets out special procedures to be followed for the care of victims when investigations are being carried out.

Articles 22 and 23 of the law establish the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking and set out its responsibilities. For more information on the NCCHT click here.

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Palermo Protocol

The Sultanate of Oman has also demonstrated its commitment to tackling human trafficking by its ratification in 2005 of the Palermo Protocol.

This is a United Nations protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in human beings, especially women and children. It supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.