Doha: Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards set for the elimination of human trafficking, said a US State Department report.
The Annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report issued on June 5 was forwarded on Tuesday by the American embassy in Doha to Qatar-based media.
The document covering March 2, 2005, to March 1, 2006 commends the Government of Qatar for its swift action in tackling the problem of using children as camel jockeys, but notes that more needs to be done to address the problem of human trafficking in the country.
"The Government of Qatar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Qatar has made noticeable progress in rescuing and repatriating child camel jockeys, establishing a shelter for abused domestic workers, and creating hotlines to register complaints," said the report.
"Nonetheless, Qatar is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons over the last year, particularly with regard to labour exploitation."
Commenting on the report, Chase Untermeyer, United States Ambassador to Qatar, said in a statement that the goal of the report is to stimulate action and create partnerships around the world in the fight against trafficking in persons.
Qatari officials at the ministry of interior were not immediately available to comment on the issue.
The report said Qatar is a destination for men and women from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines and Indonesia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and labourers.
It said the government did not prosecute anyone on trafficking charges, despite reports of widespread exploitation of foreign domestic workers.
Qatar also lacks a screening mechanism to distinguish trafficking victims from illegal immigrants, it said.
"Although it does not have a specific anti-trafficking law, other criminal laws could be applied to combat trafficking, including laws against forced labour.
"Despite several hundred reports of abuse against expatriate workers, there is no evidence that Qatar has used its laws banning forced labour to prosecute employers or labour recruitment agencies for trafficking. The Government of Qatar should increase investigations and prosecutions of trafficking offences and should consider enacting a comprehensive anti-trafficking law."
Country placed on Tier 2 Watch List
Qatar received a Tier 2 Watch List placement for its failure to provide sufficient evidence of its efforts to combat trafficking in persons.
Immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines and Indonesia migrate willingly to Qatar, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and labourers.
Qatar has made noticeable progress in rescuing and repatriating child camel jockeys, establishing a shelter for abused domestic workers and creating hotlines to register complaints.
