Special court for human trafficking cases set up

Judge Ahmed Ibrahim Saif, Head of the Dubai Criminal Court has issued a resolution forming  a new judicial circuit (the Criminal Department) competent to hear cases of human trafficking.

The new department will be under the chairmanship of Judge Fahmi Mounir. Dr Ali Galadari and Judge Mansour Al Awadh, are members.

Judge Saif  said “the step of forming such judicial department aims to expedite the consideration of such issues and adjudication without prejudice to the rights of the accused in the provision of defence.

He told Emirates 24|7 that, “the number of trafficking cases referred by the Public Prosecutor to the courts of Dubai since the beginning of 2010 to September amounted to 14 cases.

“The  estimated number of cases still under investigation of the Attorney General of Dubai is another 12 cases. They are still under investigation and will be referred to Dubai Courts immediately after the end of such investigation,” said judge Saif.
 
Judge Saif disclosed “ the Dubai Courts issued verdicts in some of the issues that have been referred since the beginning of the year, while others are still under trial.

He added “this important step comes in order to prevent the suffering of women victims in such cases, where some of them wish to return to countries while procedures require a fair trial."

He added that the decision to establish a judicial department competent to hear cases of trafficking in human beings  comes in line with the UAE policy to fight trafficking in human beings and protect victims of these crimes.

He said the decision was issued in coordination with the Dubai Attorney General Counselor Khalifa bin Dimas. The department had initiated its work from November 7.

Judge Saif said the first hearing session is in a case to enable a victim to leave the UAE.

He also stated  that the sessions would be public and if necessary, secret sessions.

The UAE has made great strides in reducing this dangerous international phenomenon. It is determined to continue these efforts and take a leading role in the establishment of international initiatives to curb it.

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