UN lauds UAE's anti-human trafficking drive

Abu Dhabi, June 4, 2012 (WAM) - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has credited the good mission of Shelters for Women and Children (EWA'A) for the best health, psychological and legal assistance and services provided to children and women victims of human trafficking. Ms. Youla Haddadin, Advisor on Trafficking, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at a meeting with Sarah Shuhail, Chief Executive Officer of Shelters, that the UAE's anti-human trafficking efforts had earned international commendation and took the lead in UN human trafficking reports. According to the UN official, the UAE had eclipsed many countries in terms of legislative and institutional measures that aim to combat the transnational crime. Shuhail, who was in Geneva for meetings of the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review, informed Haddadin about the UAE experiment in fighting trafficking in persons. The Ewa'a Shelters for women and children victims of human trafficking were established within the framework of the UAE's efforts to combat human trafficking and support human rights, and to provide safe refuge to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and provide them with health and psychological care as well as social support. She said the vision of these centre is to participate in achieving a society free from all forms of sexual violence and become a global leader in rehabilitating victims of human trafficking while their mission focus on protecting women and children victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse in all Emirates, by offering them safe shelter and care, rehabilitating and reintegrating them in society in coordination with the relevant stakeholders, and increasing awareness to limit acts of human trafficking. – Emirates News Agency, WAM