MUSCAT : Brigadier Jamal bin Habib al Quraishi, Director General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations, revealed that the ROP had, in an earlier case, successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle a child from an African country through Muscat International Airport to Europe. He explained that the vigilance of the ROP personnel led to the arrest of individuals accompanying the child, who were found to have criminal records and intended to traffic the child in Europe.

The child, who was in transit through one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, was intercepted at Muscat International Airport. The ROP personnel, noticing signs of a kidnapping and smuggling operation, promptly intervened and arrested the suspects. The child was immediately provided with health and psychological care, and arrangements were made for his safe return to his home country, where he was reunited with his family.

As the global community celebrates the day under the theme ‘Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking’, the United Nations has issued the Secretary-General’s message, which reads thus:
“On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we focus on the most vulnerable among us – children.

“Children account for one-third of trafficking victims, suffering unspeakable abuse – whether they are forced into labour, sold off as brides, recruited as soldiers, or coerced into criminal activities. Rising inequalities and globalization have fuelled complex trafficking networks that challenge traditional legal frameworks, creating new forms of slavery. Online platforms further expose children to sexual exploitation and gender-based violence and allow traffickers to exploit victims across borders.

“The physical and psychological scars of these crimes persist long into adulthood, robbing them of their innocence, futures and fundamental rights.

We must strengthen protection responses – including child-sensitive justice mechanisms, raise awareness, support unaccompanied children on the move, provide care for survivors, and tackle the root causes of exploitation by helping vulnerable families.

“I call upon governments, civil society, and the private sector, including tech companies, to intensify their efforts and collaboration so that no child is victimized and no trafficker goes unpunished.

“On this day, let us renew our commitment for a future where every child is safe and free.”

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