Taking the Lead
In a bold move intended to place it at the forefront of the battle to protect innocent women and children, the UAE has passed the strongest anti-human trafficking law in the region, which not only outlaws overt slavery but also sexual exploitation, child labor and trade in human organs.
In addition to imposing tough penalties for these crimes, including imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000, the 2007 federal law provides for support and protection of the victims. The UAE also established the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking whose duties include coordinating the federal ministries' enforcement duties.
Since the law was passed, the UAE has filed 10 human trafficking cases and secured convictions in half of them. Those convicted of trafficking received jail terms ranging from three to five years.
To prevent the exploitation of female domestic workers, the government has also drafted a new labor law designed to protect domestic workers from abuse and established an electronic wage payment system.
The UAE recognizes that its efforts will be limited unless it can work with other countries to stem the flow of illegal workers. In May 2007, the UAE ratified the U.N. Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, which includes provisions for international cooperation in anti-human trafficking efforts. The UAE government is also in the process of ratifying the Palermo Trafficking in Persons Protocol of 2000.
In February of 2008, the UAE announced a $15 million donation to the UN-Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking. To strengthen its anti-trafficking network, the UAE is forming alliances with non-governmental organizations such as UNICEF and the Red Crescent that have experience fighting the exploitation of women and children. The UAE/UNICEF program to end the trafficking of children in the camel racing industry has been hailed as a model initiative. Since it was launched in 2005, that partnership has resulted in the successful repatriation of 1,077 child camel jockeys to their home countries. Human jockeys were replaced with robots to ensure that no more children were recruited into the dangerous occupation.
