UAE | Government
Shelter for abused women and children to open in Abu Dhabi
new centre in Abu Dhabi will soon serve victims of human trafficking and exploitation in a collaborated effort to protect and shelter abused women and children in the country.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 14:13 January 13, 2008
- Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and head of NCCHT.
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
Dubai: A new centre in Abu Dhabi will soon serve victims of human trafficking and exploitation in a collaborated effort to protect and shelter abused women and children in the country.
The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) in collaboration with the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking on Sunday announced the opening of the shelter in Abu Dhabi.
The centre will serve as a safe haven for the victims, where they will be provided with medical care, counselling and social support.
The UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking was established under Federal Law 51 2006 to address the crime of human trafficking.
It represents the first law of its kind in the Arab world to address the practice of human trafficking and demonstrates the UAE's commitment to international treaties and standards.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs and head of the UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) said that this initiative was in line with the UAE's strategy to combat human trafficking.
"The decision to establish this shelter reiterates the UAE's strong commitment to combat the transnational crime of human trafficking, and focuses on the four major pillars of the UAE National Committee's strategy to tackle this issue: strengthening legislation; enforcing laws and training law enforcement officials; providing support and protection to the victims and promoting bilateral and international cooperation in tackling this issue."
The RCA will appoint an independent Board of Directors to oversee the management and operation of the shelter.
"The proposal for such a centre is based on an extensive study of international best practices with regards to victim support prepared by a specialised committee and headed by the UAE Red Crescent Authority under the steering of the NCCHT," said Khalifa Nasser Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the RCA.
"We are grateful for the support of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Red Crescent Authority, which reflects the keenness of the leadership to provide well-being, protection and security for all victims of such crimes in the UAE. Furthermore, we are equally appreciative of the role and support of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs," said Dr Gargash.
Commenting on the recent initiative to open the new centre in Abu Dhabi, Aisha Sultan, UAE columnist, said: "Human trafficking is not only a human rights violation but it feeds on the vulnerability of the less fortunate specifically women coming from poor countries."
Law: Tough penalties
The Federal Law on combating human trafficking was issued in accordance with the approval of the Federal Cabinet and the endorsement of the Supreme Council and after perusal of Federal Laws on the entry and residency of foreigners, labour, camel races and criminal procedures as well as the penal code. The 16-article law spells stiff penalties against traffickers ranging from one year to life in prison and fines of Dh20,000 to Dh1 million.
Article one of the law defines human trafficking as "mobilising, transporting, dispatching, or receiving persons through the use or threatened use of force or any other forms of coercion, kidnapping, deceit, manipulation, misuse of power, exploitation of others' weaknesses, or giving or receiving funds or advantages to win the support of a person having influence over another person with a view to exploiting him."
Exploitation is defined to include exploitation for sex, engaging others in prostitution, servitude, forced labour, enslavement, quasi-slavery practices, or detachment of organs.
An organised criminal gang is defined as a group of three or more people who collaborate to carry out a premeditated act with the intent of committing a human trafficking crime for the sake of gaining directly or indirectly financial or any other material benefit.
Corporate bodies will be liable to a fine ranging between Dh100,000 and Dh1 million if their representatives, managers, or agents commit a human trafficking crime.
- S.A.N.
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