UAE committed to combatting human trafficking, says Minister

Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, has reaffirmed the UAE’s determination to combat the crime of trafficking as part of its efforts to uphold human rights and respect for international conventions.

In a statement on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, marked on July 30, the minister said, "The UAE has taken firm, serious measures to establish a national dynamic developing framework to combat human trafficking crime and protect its victims.

"The UAE was at the forefront of countries in the region that have acceded to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its supplementary Protocols to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and was keen to ensure that all its national efforts to combat crime are consistent with the standards and provisions of these important international conventions.’’

He added that in light of the rapid changes in types of human trafficking crimes, “challenges had forced us to build strong, constructive bridges of cooperation between the national authorities, regional and international organisations to employ modern technology to make our institutions more resilient and responsive to fight this crime."

This year, he said, the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking (NCCHT) proposed a set of legislative amendments aimed at toughening penalties for perpetrators and expanding protection services provided to victims, which contributes significantly to achieving public deterrence and keeping the law in line with new criminal methods.

The Committee developed a “5 Ps’ strategy – Prevention, Prosecution, Punishment, Protection and Promotion (of international cooperation)”. Since the government officially acknowledged the problem, it has consistently and continuously improved its efforts to limit crime, and has adhered to international standards.

"We call on all state partners, United Nations agencies and civil society organisations to join efforts to confront this trans-national crime,’’ he said in conclusion.