UAE to issue new anti-human trafficking law

The UAE intends to issue a new law to combat human trafficking within a strategy to protect the rights of all residents, according to an official report.

The report by the national committee for combating human trafficking said the UAE receives thousands of expatriates every year for jobs but that some of them are exploited by global criminals, adding that those workers are victims of deceit and realise their plight only after they arrive in the country.

The report said the UAE had managed to deal with those criminals and that such achievements have been recognised by the international community.

“New amendments to the law have been issued and there will be more legislation in this respect,” the report said.

It said that under the new legislations, victims will be informed about their rights in an understandable language and will be allowed to express their rights and needs.

Victims will also be provided with home if necessary and allowed to stay in the UAE as long as they are needed by the court, the report said.

The law also authorises the court to appoint a lawyer for victims at their request, said the report, which was published by 'Emarat Al Youm' Arabic language daily.

It showed 17 major human trafficking cases were recorded in Dubai in 2015, involving 24 women and resulting in the arrest of 54 human traffickers.

The victims last year included mainly women from Asia and Africa and aged between six months and 45 years. Crimes included child abuse, sexual offences, rape, verbal abuse and financial violations.

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