ACC organises workshop on combating human trafficking

AMMAN — The Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Jordanian Judicial Council, on Saturday organised a training workshop to raise awareness about combating human trafficking. 

The workshop, attended by the Secretary-General of the Judicial Council Ali Musaimi  and ACC President Khalil Hajj Tawfiq,  where they both stressed that human trafficking crimes are among “the most heinous crimes that violate human rights worldwide, rob people of their freedom, and destroy their dignity”.

The one-day workshop aimed to introduce the crime of human trafficking in national law and international agreements, along with the measures taken at the national level to assist victims of such crime, according to Al Mamlaka TV. 

Discussions also included clarification of the concerned authorities’ role in preventing human trafficking crimes, and educating private, commercial and service sectors about its seriousness.

Musaimi highlighted the legal and legislative framework for the crime of human trafficking, its definition, as well as its methods. He also provided a brief explanation of the elements of the crime of human trafficking in accordance with the Jordanian law, and the penalties resulting from committing the crime.

Hajj Tawfiq stressed that human trafficking is a crime that constitutes a fundamental violation of international human rights standards stipulated in international agreements, and that combating, controlling and reducing it boosts Jordan’s international standing in this field.

He also commended the measures taken by the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial Council and the Public Security Directorate in combating the crime of human trafficking, emphasising their partnership with society and civil society organisations.

He also said that such meetings and workshops bolster the role of national institutions in understanding human rights, preserving them from committing violations and raising awareness of human trafficking dangers.

Director of the Human Rights Directorate at the Ministry of Justice Hanan  Khalayleh presented a summary of the Human Trafficking Prevention Law issued in 2009. She pointed out that Jordan, from a legislative standpoint, has amended the Human Trafficking Prevention Law and introduced some fundamental amendments through Amended Law No. (10) of 2021. This amendment aims to comply with the best international standards, providing more protection for victims and those affected by human trafficking.

Khalayleh also presented the themes of the national referral mechanism and the standard operating procedures in dealing with human trafficking cases. She also provided the terminology used and the five stages of the mechanism: identification of the potential human trafficking victim, shelter, protection, assistance, auditing, prosecution, voluntary return of victims of this crime and reintegration.