National panel reviews human trafficking victims’ rights

The meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai also discussed the Arab League Secretariat’s decision to prepare an Arab agreement to combat human trafficking as well as a number of other topics.

“The committee reviewed the UAE strategy to combat human trafficking which is based on ‘Five Ps’ – Prevention, Prosecution, Punishment, Protection and Promotion of international cooperation. The meeting focused on the achievements of the UAE in the field of combating human trafficking crimes,” said Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking.

“The meeting also discussed the workflow and processes involved in setting up a fund for victims of human trafficking, which is a major initiative in supporting the victims and helping them meet their future needs,” Gargash said. Gargash said the UAE appreciates all the ongoing efforts in fighting this crime, and is fully aware about the complex challenges the governments are facing on this issue.

“The committee encourages all the entities concerned, the various departments and ministries, to organise training programmes to acquire necessary skills to combat these crimes.”

The meeting included a review of the implementation of previous meeting recommendations, and also discussed a letter from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime about its programme in Pakistan, and a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about participating in the regional programme on rights of victims of human trafficking.

The committee reviewed the workflow in the UAE Annual Report on Combating Human Trafficking 2013-2014, which highlights the important steps taken by the state in fighting these crimes, and the process of collection of information and data from authorities concerned to release the report within a specific timeframe.