Abu Dhabi: The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking will set up a fund to provide humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of trafficking in persons, Dr. Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs, said on Monday.
“The establishment of the new fund will be a major initiative in supporting the victims and helping them meet the needs of their future,” Dr Gargash, who is also chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said.
The fund will be developed after the model of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking.
At any given time, an estimated 2.4 million people are trapped in modern-day slavery — human trafficking. Women, children and men across the globe find themselves being enslaved in forced labour and domestic servitude, sexually exploited or used as child soldiers, according to the UN figures.
Dr Gargash said the UAE has put in great efforts to establish care centres for the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.
“The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking will work in cooperation with the ‘Ewa’a’ shelters to provide the necessary financial resources to support the fund,” Dr Gargash said.
He added that the leadership of the country is keen to eliminate such crimes and strengthen cooperation with international organisations to safeguard the dignity of individuals all over the world.
Developing expertise
Dr Gargash said the UAE supports all Arab and regional efforts to develop the expertise to uncover such crimes and provide the victims of human trafficking complete protection and comprehensive care.
In a bid to provide help and support to those most affected, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has launched the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking. Administered by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Victims’ Trust Fund supports actual, on-the-ground humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of trafficking through a range of avenues, including governmental, inter-governmental and civil society organisations.
The Victims’ Trust Fund provides the opportunity for people from all walks of life, including governments, the private sector, international organisations, NGOs and individuals, to work together to help victims of human trafficking in a practical and tangible manner.
Dr Gargash clarified that the new strategy of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, which is being applied in the UAE in line with the international best practices in this field, is based on the ‘Five Ps’ of prevention, prosecution, punishment, protection and promotion (of international co-operation.
A meeting of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking discussed a proposal of the International Labour Organisation for cooperation with the National Committee to combat trafficking.
It also discussed the media campaign to raise awareness about Federal Law 51, the United Nations Plan of Action adopted by the UN General Assembly and the report on the UK embassy’s visit to the committee in August.
