Steps against abuse hailed

New York: The United Nations General Assembly debate on human trafficking has hailed the efforts of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his support to the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (Gift).

According to the report, the UAE Government is making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

An active anti-trafficking committee coordinated the UAE's anti-trafficking efforts, which include:

- Increasing prosecutions, convictions, and sentences for sex trafficking offenders;

- Training law enforcement officers on anti-trafficking methods;

--Opening a shelter for victims of trafficking; and

- Continuing its efforts to support former child camel jockeys and reaching agreements on compensation for them.

The report urged the UAE to:

--Continue to increase law enforcement efforts to identify, prosecute and punish acts of sex trafficking; and

--Increase law enforcement efforts against labour trafficking, including prosecuting and punishing employers as well as recruiters who defraud or abuse workers.

"Delegates to the UNGA Debate on Human Trafficking have commended Shaikh Mohammad for his generous donation of $15 million to set up UN.Gift," said Dr. Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the UAE's National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking.

"The UAE's anti-human trafficking measures fully share the UN's priorities of raising awareness, promoting international partnerships and collectively addressing this phenomenon," Dr. Gargash said.

He added the UAE has demonstrated its commitment to the prevention and elimination of trafficking.

The country has evolved a four-pillared action plan that includes legislation, enforcement, victim support, as well as bilateral agreements and international partnerships.