Anti-human trafficking committee signs MoU with Australia

Abu Dhabi: The UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia, to share experiences and raise awareness about the menace of human trafficking.

The MoU will also encourage efforts to support research and studies on measures to contain such crimes.

The MoU was signed by Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, and Jim Williams, First Assistant Secretary, Visa and Offshore Services, Department of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia.

“The UAE seeks to establish cooperation with all countries in order to address the issue of human trafficking. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding reflects the UAE’s keen interest to support international efforts to eradicate such crimes,” said Gargash.

Gargash stressed the importance of utilising academic expertise in each country to counter the growing crimes related to human trafficking that have become a threat to national and international security, as well as economic stability.

“International cooperation to support victims of human trafficking and sharing of experiences to raise awareness on this issue should be treated with top priority. Besides, efforts need to be undertaken to encourage studies, research and educational programmes to eliminate the negative effects of these crimes in the community,” he added.

Emphasising the UAE’s support to all ongoing efforts to fight human trafficking, Gargash said the UAE is fully aware of the complex challenges in this field — facing states and governments all over the world. Therefore the UAE is working on a number of international partnerships and participating in regional and international efforts to confront such crimes.

As part of its efforts to apply the principles of the United Nations adopted recently, based on the strategic pillars of prevention, prosecution, punishment and promotion of international cooperation, the UAE has taken important steps such as carrying out amendments to Federal Law No 51 to provide more protection for human trafficking victims in the UAE.