Abu Dhabi: As part of efforts exerted by the United Arab Emirates to combat human trafficking crimes, the country lodged the first case of exploitation of people with determination in begging by an Asian national, involving 15 male victims.
Sharjah Prosecution filed a human trafficking case in accordance with Federal Law No. (51) for the year 2006 regarding combating human trafficking crimes, as amended by Federal Law No. (1) for the year 2015.
- Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking
The federal law is in line with the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol) which the UAE acceded to in 2009.
Severe penalties
It imposes severe penalties on human traffickers once their crimes are linked to victims who are children or disabled persons — and could see them sentenced to life imprisonment.
Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, praised the efforts exerted by law enforcement agencies to uncover the circumstances of this case.
He stressed that the UAE will take all necessary measures to protect victims and provide them with support and rehabilitation services and bring the perpetrators of this inhumane crime to trial.
Dr. Gargash remarked that those involved in combating human trafficking crimes are now more experienced in dealing with the various facets of human trafficking.
This experience results from the implementation of the strategy of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, based on prevention, prosecution, punishment, protecting victims and enhancing cooperation, in line with the Committee's decision No. 7 of 2010 on regulatory procedures to deal with victims of human trafficking crimes by competent authorities in the country.
The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking is currently closely following the case to provide the needful in terms of support and coordination.
