Gargash hails efforts to curb human trafficking

Dr Gargash praised the efforts of the members of the committee in checking the prevalence of the crime in cooperation with local and federal entities.

He was briefed on a number of reports, including the report of Arab Initiative to build human capabilities, and the committee decided to host various activities registered with the initiative within 2013. The minister pointed out that the UAE supported all the Arab and regional initiatives and was keen to participate in them.

The committee reported the progress achieved on the Arab report on combatting human trafficking, which is being supervised by the Arab League and is expected to be released in April 2013.

Speaking on the invitation of Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, Dr Gargash said the country was pleased to join the Bali Process to support the strategy of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking in a number of areas, mainly through international cooperation enhancement.

The committee also discussed a group of proposals from different organisations, especially the half-year report of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, lauding the efforts made by the foundation in this regard.

The committee urged all the national organisations and local entities interested in human rights and combating trafficking to put in all efforts to issue reports and statistics that meet the demands and aspirations of the committees to build a comprehensive database.

The meeting also highlighted the steps followed to issue the annual reports of the country on human trafficking, which is expected to be issued in March.

Since its inception in 2002, the Bali Process has effectively raised regional awareness of the consequences of people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crime, and developed and implemented strategies and practical cooperation in response. — news@khaleejtimes.com