Human trafficking can attract very severe penalties, MoI official warns

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning against human trafficking, detailing severe penalties including prison sentences of up to 12 years for offenders during a recent awareness webinar. The ministry emphasized protecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and migrant workers, urging employers and recruitment agencies to comply with legal standards to prevent exploitation and unlawful restriction of personal freedom.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Qatar has issued a warning against all forms of human trafficking, emphasizing that the offence carries stringent penalties, including long prison terms. The statement came during a recent webinar titled “Various Crimes and Methods of Prevention and the Anti-Human Trafficking Section for the Public,” organised by the ministry.

Captain Fahad Jassim al-Mansouri, an officer with the Technical Office of the MOI’s Criminal Investigation Department, highlighted that human trafficking is a grave transnational crime. He underscored that individuals convicted of such offences can face imprisonment of up to 10 years or more, citing specific cases where sentences reached 12 years. According to Capt al-Mansouri, groups most vulnerable to trafficking include women, children, and migrant workers.

The officer identified visa trading and sexual exploitation as two primary dimensions commonly linked to human trafficking. He noted that some individuals may unwittingly become involved in trafficking-related crimes without fully understanding the legal implications of their actions.

Capt al-Mansouri described human trafficking offences as generally falling into two categories: compelling a person to perform certain work against their will and unlawfully restricting an individual’s personal freedom. He advised caution in employment and recruitment practices to avoid activities that could be construed as trafficking.

Further elaborating on the crime’s scope, Capt al-Mansouri explained that human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, harbouring, or receiving individuals for purposes of exploitation. This exploitation can take various forms, including sexual abuse, forced labour, compulsory services, begging, slavery, or analogous practices. The methods used to facilitate trafficking may involve coercion, threats, fraud, deception, kidnapping, or abusing a person’s vulnerability or power imbalance.

The official specifically addressed concerns about employers or recruitment agents holding workers’ passports. He affirmed that passports remain the personal property of the holder and should not be retained by employers without explicit written consent. Such possession, if conducted without permission, may violate human trafficking laws and constitute unlawful restriction of freedom.

The Ministry of Interior appealed to employers and recruitment agencies to uphold workers’ rights, adhere to legal standards, and avoid any conduct that might exploit or unlawfully constrain individuals. The ministry’s message aims to reinforce Qatar’s commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations within its jurisdiction.

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