ID :
43722
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 13:24
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/43722
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Gargash chairs first seminar for government bodies combating human trafficking
Abu Dhabi, February 2, 2009 (WAM) - The UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) held its first co-ordination seminar for government authorities tasked with dealing with the crime of human trafficking.
The meeting chaired by Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee was attended by Minister of Culture, Youth '&' and Community Development. Also present were over 80 senior level representatives of all the relevant federal and local institutions including police chiefs, attorney generals and high-level judiciary officials.
"This event is of key importance as part of our national plan to fight this crime in the UAE. We have highlighted today the key pillars of our strategy and discussed how to leverage our efforts and unite them to fight the crime of human trafficking in this country," Gargash stated in his presentation.
"We have called for more prosecutions, a re-focus of our efforts and for all departments and authorities to work towards a centralized documentation system for this crime so that we know the extent of the problem," he added.
Gargash called on all authorities to cooperate with the NCCHT, stressing on the need for them to provide accurate data to compile the committee's annual report on human trafficking.
Gargash thoroughly highlighted all the issues related to human trafficking and the UAE's achievements in this field. He also pointed at the roles of the different entities involved in fighting this crime in raising social awareness and impacting change in the judicial system in terms of the number of prosecutions and convictions. Gargash emphasized the necessity of enabling law enforcement personnel to identify human trafficking cases through training activities that develop personnel's skills to deal with the crime efficiently and with respect and compassion for victims of this crime.
Gargash highlighted the challenges due to the complexity of trafficking cases and urged police and public prosecutors to closely examine each case in order to ascertain if a crime of trafficking has been perpetrated.
Gargash also discussed the US State Department report for 2007 which highlighted a number of positive aspects of the UAE's achievements in fighting human trafficking. He stated:" Despite the absence of an international authority that supervises human trafficking, we have urged our police and judicial authorities to redouble their efforts and develop best-practices in fighting human trafficking on every level. We have achieved many key successes in this field in a short space of time that was highlighted by the US State Department report and we must continue in these efforts." During the meeting the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking presented its strategy that is based on three main planks: First, developing legislation related to human trafficking; second, enabling relevant authorities where necessary to implement this legislation and third, providing victims with protection. Dr. Gargash urged officials to tighten control on labour supply offices and ensure that those offices don't abuse incoming labourers. He also pointed out that under Law 51, cases of trafficking in the domestic labour workforce must also be investigated and prosecuted.
Dr. Gargash outlined the National Committee's participation in international conferences and its intention to launch a media awareness campaign in the UAE within the coming month and asked for the full support and coordination of the convened authorities.
Police chiefs and judicial officials, who pro-actively participated in the meeting, discussed ideas on the best way to prevent trafficking. A key official from Dubai Police suggested the creation of specialized offices within the residency and naturalization directorates in the UAE to prevent the crime at the borders. Ahmed Al Khateri head of Ras Al Khaimah's courts praised the new anti human trafficking law of 2006 and noted that its implementation would improve over time, although he noted that the law was being increasing used in the UAE courts.
Other participants stated that fighting human trafficking is a national commitment that is a firm part of the UAE's Islamic and local traditions which call for respect of all human beings and their rights.
The meeting chaired by Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee was attended by Minister of Culture, Youth '&' and Community Development. Also present were over 80 senior level representatives of all the relevant federal and local institutions including police chiefs, attorney generals and high-level judiciary officials.
"This event is of key importance as part of our national plan to fight this crime in the UAE. We have highlighted today the key pillars of our strategy and discussed how to leverage our efforts and unite them to fight the crime of human trafficking in this country," Gargash stated in his presentation.
"We have called for more prosecutions, a re-focus of our efforts and for all departments and authorities to work towards a centralized documentation system for this crime so that we know the extent of the problem," he added.
Gargash called on all authorities to cooperate with the NCCHT, stressing on the need for them to provide accurate data to compile the committee's annual report on human trafficking.
Gargash thoroughly highlighted all the issues related to human trafficking and the UAE's achievements in this field. He also pointed at the roles of the different entities involved in fighting this crime in raising social awareness and impacting change in the judicial system in terms of the number of prosecutions and convictions. Gargash emphasized the necessity of enabling law enforcement personnel to identify human trafficking cases through training activities that develop personnel's skills to deal with the crime efficiently and with respect and compassion for victims of this crime.
Gargash highlighted the challenges due to the complexity of trafficking cases and urged police and public prosecutors to closely examine each case in order to ascertain if a crime of trafficking has been perpetrated.
Gargash also discussed the US State Department report for 2007 which highlighted a number of positive aspects of the UAE's achievements in fighting human trafficking. He stated:" Despite the absence of an international authority that supervises human trafficking, we have urged our police and judicial authorities to redouble their efforts and develop best-practices in fighting human trafficking on every level. We have achieved many key successes in this field in a short space of time that was highlighted by the US State Department report and we must continue in these efforts." During the meeting the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking presented its strategy that is based on three main planks: First, developing legislation related to human trafficking; second, enabling relevant authorities where necessary to implement this legislation and third, providing victims with protection. Dr. Gargash urged officials to tighten control on labour supply offices and ensure that those offices don't abuse incoming labourers. He also pointed out that under Law 51, cases of trafficking in the domestic labour workforce must also be investigated and prosecuted.
Dr. Gargash outlined the National Committee's participation in international conferences and its intention to launch a media awareness campaign in the UAE within the coming month and asked for the full support and coordination of the convened authorities.
Police chiefs and judicial officials, who pro-actively participated in the meeting, discussed ideas on the best way to prevent trafficking. A key official from Dubai Police suggested the creation of specialized offices within the residency and naturalization directorates in the UAE to prevent the crime at the borders. Ahmed Al Khateri head of Ras Al Khaimah's courts praised the new anti human trafficking law of 2006 and noted that its implementation would improve over time, although he noted that the law was being increasing used in the UAE courts.
Other participants stated that fighting human trafficking is a national commitment that is a firm part of the UAE's Islamic and local traditions which call for respect of all human beings and their rights.
