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(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) At least 17 cases related to human trafficking were registered in Dubai during the first eight months of the current year, and two cases of child trafficking were reported in 2008.
Colonel Dr Mohammed Al Murr, director of Department of Public Administration for Legal and Regulatory Control, Dubai Police, disclosed this to the Press while announcing the establishment of Human Trafficking Crimes Monitor Centre.
Al Murr explained that the Human Trafficking Crimes Monitor Centre (HTCMC) was set up in February this year to curb human trafficking in UAE and strengthen regional and international cooperation in this field.
Complaints from the people are received by the centre's hotline number 800-5005 round the clock.
He noted that the centre will play a role in enhancing and strengthening anti-human trafficking legislation.
The centre comprises three sections, namely, Human Trafficking Crimes Monitor Section, Workers Monitoring Section and Human Trafficking Victims Care Section.
Al Murr said that HTCMC will provide all assistance to victims of human trafficking, follow up on international reports on human rights issues in the country and highlight efforts made by the UAE to combat human trafficking.
The UAE is pursuing traffickers aggressively and they will be punished under federal law No. 51 of the year 2006. Convictions would attract imprisonment ranging from one year to life and fines ranging from
Dh100,000 to Dh1,000,000.
Following the implementation of federal law No. 39 of 2006, pertaining to international cooperation in judicial matters, the UAE cooperated with international law-enforcement agencies in seven cases during 2007.
"UAE has made significant progress to fight human trafficking. However, international reports on human trafficking in the UAE are based on inaccurate media reports," he pointed out.
Al Murr pointed that the HTCMC has drafted an action plan to enhance legislation, enforcement, victim support, bilateral agreements and international partnerships, and awareness programs to protect labour rights.
Dr Sultan Al Jamal, director of the Human Trafficking Crimes Monitor Centre, confirmed that no labour trafficking cases had been registered in the UAE, as had been reported in international media.
He said that the monitoring centre conducted inspection campaigns at labour accommodations in Dubai, specially in Al Qouz and Jebel Ali, to ensure that labourers were not subjected to any rights abuse.
In 2009 so far, 1,109 inspections were carried out and 277 follow-ups. As many as 287 companies were found violating rules and 545 companies were reportedly observing the rules.
He said that there was a decline in the number of protests by labourers
over delay in salary payment or overtime remuneration.
Dr Jamal said next week the HTCMC would organise visits and awareness campaigns to ensure that the companies implement Ministry of Labour's rules properly.
The centre has organised workshops to train the cadres working for combating human trafficking, and for judicial officers to deal with temporary workers' issues as well as human
rights issues.
Next month, the centre will organise a workshop for institutions engaged in tackling human trafficking issues ahead of the observance of International Human Rights Day in December.
Al Murr pointed out, "Combating human trafficking needs cooperation at local and international levels. The HTCMC has entered into agreements for cooperation with UNESCO, Anti-Human Trafficking Centre and Dubai Foundation for Women and Children."
The centre's officials will visit anti-human trafficking institutions and provide preventive, legal and material support to human trafficking victims.
The centre has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Al Maktoum Charity Foundation to support victims of human trafficking, and agreement with UNICEF for protection of children's rights.
"The National Committee for Anti-Human Trafficking, which was established in 2007, is a strategic partner," he stated.
By Amira Agarib
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