Blitz Bureau
A UN official has commended the United Arab Emirates for its remarkable efforts in combating trafficking in persons, reported WAM. ‘’The UAE has made significant progress in combating this crime, actively collaborating with the international community. It has ratified vital international agreements, including the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime and its protocols — especially the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, particularly Women and Children, adopted in 2000,” Mohannad Fayez Salim Aldweikat, Regional Coordinator for Human Trafficking Programmes at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the GCC Region, told a seminar organised by Dubai Police on July 30.
Moreover, he said, the UAE has enacted national legislation specifically targeting human trafficking, ensuring compliance with these protocols, protecting victims’ rights, enforcing stringent penalties, and promoting national and regional cooperation for effective prevention.
The seminar, themed “Together Against Human Trafficking: Strict Legislation, Smart Technologies, and a Safe Work Environment Free from Exploitation,” was held to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in cooperation with the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee at the Ministry of Interior. It highlighted the UAE’s robust laws that impose severe penalties for trafficking offenses. It also examined how artificial intelligence and big data can aid authorities in identifying perpetrators and recognising patterns related to this cross-border crime, as well as the efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization to protect domestic workers from exploitation.
Aldweikat added, “We have partnered with the Human Rights Department of Dubai Police to develop a specialized diploma in combating human trafficking, resulting in the graduation of over 754 participants from across the Arab world. Additionally, we prepared top graduates through train-the-trainer courses, allowing them to lead regional training initiatives as national and regional experts for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Together, we have organized targeted training programs for all sectors.”
The event, held in the Dubai Police Officers Club, was commenced with remarks from Major General Dr. Saleh Abdullah Murad, Acting Assistant Commandant for Excellence and Pioneering Affairs at Dubai Police. In his opening remarks, Major General Dr. Saleh Abdullah Murad stated, “Human trafficking is one of the most pressing crimes threatening our societies, infringing fundamental human, religious, and ethical values. Tackling this issue necessitates a united effort from all of us—both institutions and individuals—especially in light of the challenges posed by modern technologies and transnational organised crime.”
