*National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking commends ruling

Two people accused of human trafficking have been sentenced to 10 years in jail and a fine of QR 200,000 each in a landmark judgement issued by the Criminal Court of the Court of First Instance.
The defendants were also ordered to pay each victim an amount of QR1mn as compensation. The court also ordered to deport the convicts from the country after the completion of their jail sentence.
According to QNA, the defendants, who hold Pakistani citizenship, were charged with violation of Law No. 15 of 2011 for combating trafficking in human beings.
The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking has praised the ruling of the First Instance Court of the Supreme Judiciary Council.
"In a judgment considered as a victory for justice, the court convicted the defendants for having committed the crime against two domestic workers which are punishable under Law No. 15 of 2011for combating trafficking in human beings," QNA said.
"The charge consisted of forcibly exploiting the victims , practising slavery and servitude, detaining the victims and depriving them of their freedom, harnessing and forcing them to work without pay, and assaulting the integrity of the victims' body."
An investigation was launched after the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking received last year a report which said some persons were committing acts related to human trafficking by exploiting employees and exposing them to various forms of torture and ill-treatment.
Besides the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, the police and the Public Prosecution were involved in the investigations.
The victims were accommodated in the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Center (AMAN) after they were provided necessary healthcare.
The investigating team collected evidence including a forensic report, as well as the inference of the statements of witnesses and the victims.
After completing the investigations , the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking appointed a lawyer for the victims, while the case proceeded with the Qatari courts.
The Criminal Court of the Court of First Instance ruled to imprison the two defendants for a period of ten years, and to fine each of them an amount of QR 200,000 for the charges levelled against them and to deport them from the country after the completion of the sentence.
The court's decision also stipulated that the defendants were obligated jointly to pay each victim an amount of QR1mn as compensation.
HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousuf bin Mohamed al-Othman Fakhroo and Chairman of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking welcomed the ruling and hoped that it will act as a deterrent to human traffickers who believe that they can evade the rule of law in Qatar.
HE the minister added that Qatar was an active member of the international community in combating human trafficking and imposed strict penalties on those found guilty of violating laws and the country did not tolerate any violations or infringement of human rights. All measures have been taken to provide the necessary care and protection to the victims before, during and after the investigation, he pointed out.

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