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205480
Tue, 09/06/2011 - 11:14
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https://www.oananews.org//node/205480
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National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking website launched
Abu Dhabi, Sept 6, 2011 (WAM) - Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT), launched yesterday the committee's website as part of its sustained efforts to raise awareness against the international crime. ''The website is yet another milestone in the relentless fight against trafficking in persons,'' Gargash said at the launching ceremony.
''Before seeing it as an international problem, it is important to realise that Islam, Arab culture and ethics do not accept the crime of human trafficking in our society. We in the UAE will do everything to eradicate it," he asserted.
''Human trafficking is an issue that affects many countries around the world including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite the challenges posed by this crime, the UAE as a committed and responsible member of the international community has been proactive in the global fight to combat human trafficking.
The issue is increasingly being addressed publicly by both the government and media and is a top priority for the UAE government,'' he added.
The country's resolve to fight this crime at home and abroad, he stressed, has resulted in a comprehensive four-pillar anti-human trafficking action plan that includes: legislation; enforcement; victim support; as well as bilateral agreements and international partnerships.
The UAE anti-human trafficking law - Federal Law 51 of November 2006, the first of its kind in the region - takes into account the existing federal laws on entry and residency of foreigners, labour, camel races and criminal procedures, as well as the penal code. It calls for strong punitive measures, including maximum penalties of life imprisonment and covers all forms of human trafficking.
Further, the Cabinet established the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking in April 2007. This serves as a coordinating body for anti-human trafficking efforts at all levels in the seven emirates of the federation.
The Committee is responsible for promoting the strict enforcement of Federal Law 51 and its provisions. It is also tasked with studying and revising human trafficking legislations with a view to securing the necessary protection according to international standards. It develops public awareness and victim sensitivity training programmes for the relevant bodies and individuals dealing with victims of trafficking; and represents the UAE officially in handling international requests, enquiries, and delegations related to human trafficking issues.
As part of its international commitment, the UAE ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (2000) in 2007. The Cabinet has also approved the ratification of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol), which is one of the two protocols attached to the Organised Crime Convention.
Gargash said the UAE had also joined the UN-backed the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking, a coalition of 20 countries, Founded in February 2010 as an informal, voluntary and open-ended association of UN Member States, the Group of Friends seeks to help reinvigorate and consolidate the global fight against trafficking in persons.
At the heart of this initiative is to promote the elaboration of a global plan of action against human trafficking, with engagement in this process of such critical stakeholders as civil society, mass media and private businesses.
The Group of Friends seeks to enhance the role of the United Nations in fighting human trafficking and to promote better coordination and cohesiveness of anti-trafficking efforts, including through elaboration and implementation of a global plan of action against trafficking in persons.
Saeed Mohammed Al Ghafli, NCCHT's Rapporteur, said the website was launched in both Arabic and English languages to reach out to victims and help them, combat the crime and interact with members of the public and hear their feedback.
The website, he explained, provides reliable, valuable information about the NCCHT, its action plan and strategy, activities, publications and its achievements.
The website also allocates a section for federal and international laws and conventions on combating human trafficking crimes.
The NCCHT, he said, had set up an office at the Ministry of Labour to examine cases related to human trafficking and abuse of labour by employers. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
''Before seeing it as an international problem, it is important to realise that Islam, Arab culture and ethics do not accept the crime of human trafficking in our society. We in the UAE will do everything to eradicate it," he asserted.
''Human trafficking is an issue that affects many countries around the world including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite the challenges posed by this crime, the UAE as a committed and responsible member of the international community has been proactive in the global fight to combat human trafficking.
The issue is increasingly being addressed publicly by both the government and media and is a top priority for the UAE government,'' he added.
The country's resolve to fight this crime at home and abroad, he stressed, has resulted in a comprehensive four-pillar anti-human trafficking action plan that includes: legislation; enforcement; victim support; as well as bilateral agreements and international partnerships.
The UAE anti-human trafficking law - Federal Law 51 of November 2006, the first of its kind in the region - takes into account the existing federal laws on entry and residency of foreigners, labour, camel races and criminal procedures, as well as the penal code. It calls for strong punitive measures, including maximum penalties of life imprisonment and covers all forms of human trafficking.
Further, the Cabinet established the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking in April 2007. This serves as a coordinating body for anti-human trafficking efforts at all levels in the seven emirates of the federation.
The Committee is responsible for promoting the strict enforcement of Federal Law 51 and its provisions. It is also tasked with studying and revising human trafficking legislations with a view to securing the necessary protection according to international standards. It develops public awareness and victim sensitivity training programmes for the relevant bodies and individuals dealing with victims of trafficking; and represents the UAE officially in handling international requests, enquiries, and delegations related to human trafficking issues.
As part of its international commitment, the UAE ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (2000) in 2007. The Cabinet has also approved the ratification of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol), which is one of the two protocols attached to the Organised Crime Convention.
Gargash said the UAE had also joined the UN-backed the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking, a coalition of 20 countries, Founded in February 2010 as an informal, voluntary and open-ended association of UN Member States, the Group of Friends seeks to help reinvigorate and consolidate the global fight against trafficking in persons.
At the heart of this initiative is to promote the elaboration of a global plan of action against human trafficking, with engagement in this process of such critical stakeholders as civil society, mass media and private businesses.
The Group of Friends seeks to enhance the role of the United Nations in fighting human trafficking and to promote better coordination and cohesiveness of anti-trafficking efforts, including through elaboration and implementation of a global plan of action against trafficking in persons.
Saeed Mohammed Al Ghafli, NCCHT's Rapporteur, said the website was launched in both Arabic and English languages to reach out to victims and help them, combat the crime and interact with members of the public and hear their feedback.
The website, he explained, provides reliable, valuable information about the NCCHT, its action plan and strategy, activities, publications and its achievements.
The website also allocates a section for federal and international laws and conventions on combating human trafficking crimes.
The NCCHT, he said, had set up an office at the Ministry of Labour to examine cases related to human trafficking and abuse of labour by employers. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
