Shelter for human trafficking victims to officially open next year — Abu Hassan

AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Reem Abu Hassan on Wednesday said a government shelter will officially open early next year to house human trafficking victims in Jordan.

“The shelter is already receiving cases and we have 12 now but the official opening will be in January,” Abu Hassan told The Jordan Times.

The minister said the shelter was named Karamah, “which means dignity in English to ensure the well-being of human trafficking victims in Jordan”.

The number of human trafficking cases in the Kingdom increased from 92 in 2013 to 165 in 2014, Labour Minister Nidal Katamine said in March, expecting the number to gradually decrease due to procedures being taken to curb the phenomenon.

Abu Hassan said that the shelter, which is housed in an old building belonging to her ministry that was refurbished, has been divided into three sections — for men, women and children.

The shelter can house up to 50 individuals and is located in the Jofeh suburb in east Amman, added Abu Hassan.

“The centre covers human trafficking victims' basic needs and provides counselling and rehabilitation services,” the minister noted.

Legal counselling services are also provided in cooperation with civil society organisations, she said.

Before the centre was established, Abu Hassan added, cases were referred to the Family Reconciliation Centre, where a special branch was opened temporary to house human trafficking victims a few years ago.

“The government is keen on preserving the rights and dignities of victims of human trafficking,” Abu Hassan stressed.