U.A.E. leads other countries by example in combating human trafficking: UN human rights official

Abu Dhabi (WAM): A United Nations Human rights official on Tuesday praised the U.A.E.'s record on combating human trafficking and noted that victims of the crime receive the best treatment, shelters and services from the U.A.E. concerned authorities based on the country's effective anti-human trafficking legislations that guarantee the rights of all of the victims and punish the perpetrators. Obaid Ahmed Al Obaid, Director of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, said the U.A.E. is leading others by example in the area of combating human trafficking, and expressed his hope that other countries in the region would follow in this reliable model that the U.A.E. provides for anti-trafficking efforts, especially in terms of providing relevant legislations and facilities. Al Obaid was speaking during the opening of the three-day inaugural training workshop on "International Cooperation and Victims of Human Trafficking", organised by the UN centre and Dubai Foundation for Women and Children at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel. The workshop is aimed at strengthening efforts to investigate human trafficking cases, bring traffickers to justice, and train law enforcement personnel on identifying and protecting victims he noted. On her part, Afra Al Basti, Executive Director of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said choosing U.A.E. as the host of the workshop recognises its success in combating human trafficking and providing the best care for the victims over the past years. "Human trafficking was cut by 60 percent in U.A.E. in the past year alone while the rate was going up in other courtiers. The success of the U.A.E.'s anti-human trafficking experience is attributed to the keen interest of the country's wise leaders in protecting human rights and dignity," added Al Basti. The UN Human Rights Training Centre was established by the General Assembly in 2005 "to undertake training and documentation activities according to international human rights standards and to support such efforts within the region by governments, UN agencies and programmes, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organisations". The Centre was by the High Commissioner in May 2009. The main objective of the Centre is to strengthen human rights knowledge and skills within its region of operation. The geographical mandate of the Centre covers 25 countries, the majority of which are situated in the Arab region and three are situated in South-West Asia. Within its specific training and documentation mandate, the centre works in close coordination with regional representatives in the field, heads of country offices, human rights units of peace missions and coordinators of regional units at Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, headquarters. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395271231175.html