A lot still needs to be done despite hugeadvances in the implementation of human rights in Oman, especially as far ascombating human trafficking and labour abuse are concerned, according to anofficial at the US Embassy.
After delivering a speech on human rightsin Oman to students at the Modern College of Business and Science on Sunday,Christine Harper, the US Embassy's political officer told Muscat Daily thatcertain issues rights abuse in Oman still remain to be tackled.
Labour abuse and the rights of domesticservants in particular remain a sticking point. "There is no penalty for passport retention by an employer. A fine of some sort is a possible solution,"Christine said.
"Oman has done a really good job ofpreventing sex trafficking, but we feel they need to do more in terms of labour abuse prosecutions. We need to see moreconsequences for these crimes."
She added that the laws protectingdomestic servants need to be made more powerful. The contract between anemployer and domestic help is currently signed privately, which increases thechances of an employee being made to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week.
"They do have legislation protecting domestic servants, but it is short. The law needs to be fleshed out, andcertain aspects of the labour law applied."
The US embassy in Oman will also pursuethe cause of promoting the rights of gay men and women in Oman stated Harper,following comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently stating that gay rights are to be considered a fundamental part of human rights.
"What we are saying is that regardless ofpersonal status there are universal human rights and the rule of law. You should not be denied rights just because you are gay or lesbian."
© Muscat Daily 2011
