WUNRN
Abu
Dhabi is
the capital
and second largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital
and largest city of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, which is the largest of the seven emirates of the United Arab
Emirates by size. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: SHELTER FOR
ABUSED & TRAFFICKED WOMEN
& CHILDREN TO OPEN IN ABU DHABI
|
By
Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter |
|
|
|
Dubai: A new centre in Abu Dhabi will soon
serve victims of human trafficking and exploitation in a collaborated effort
to protect and shelter abused women and children in the country. The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) in collaboration with the
National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking on Sunday announced the opening
of the shelter in Abu Dhabi. The centre will serve as a safe haven for the victims, where
they will be provided with medical care, counselling and social support. The UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking was
established under Federal Law 51 2006 to address the crime of human
trafficking. It represents the first law of its kind in the Arab world to
address the practice of human trafficking and demonstrates the UAE's
commitment to international treaties and standards. Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs and head of
the UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) said that this
initiative was in line with the UAE's strategy to combat human trafficking. "The decision to establish this shelter reiterates the UAE's
strong commitment to combat the transnational crime of human trafficking, and
focuses on the four major pillars of the UAE National Committee's strategy to
tackle this issue: strengthening legislation; enforcing laws and training law
enforcement officials; providing support and protection to the victims and
promoting bilateral and international cooperation in tackling this
issue." The RCA will appoint an independent Board of Directors to
oversee the management and operation of the shelter. "The proposal for such a centre is based on an extensive
study of international best practices with regards to victim support prepared
by a specialised committee and headed by the UAE Red Crescent Authority under
the steering of the NCCHT," said Khalifa Nasser Al Suwaidi, Chairman of
the RCA. "We are grateful for the support of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Red Crescent Authority,
which reflects the keenness of the leadership to provide well-being,
protection and security for all victims of such crimes in the UAE.
Furthermore, we are equally appreciative of the role and support of Shaikh
Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs," said Dr
Gargash. Commenting on the recent initiative to open the new centre in
Abu Dhabi, Aisha Sultan, UAE columnist, said: "Human trafficking is not
only a human rights violation but it feeds on the vulnerability of the less
fortunate specifically women coming from poor countries." Law: Tough penalties The Federal Law on combating human trafficking was issued in
accordance with the approval of the Federal Cabinet and the endorsement of
the Supreme Council and after perusal of Federal Laws on the entry and
residency of foreigners, labour, camel races and criminal procedures as well
as the penal code. The 16-article law spells stiff penalties against
traffickers ranging from one year to life in prison and fines of Dh20,000 to
Dh1 million. Article one of the law defines human trafficking as
"mobilising, transporting, dispatching, or receiving persons through the
use or threatened use of force or any other forms of coercion, kidnapping,
deceit, manipulation, misuse of power, exploitation of others' weaknesses, or
giving or receiving funds or advantages to win the support of a person having
influence over another person with a view to exploiting him." Exploitation is defined to include exploitation for sex,
engaging others in prostitution, servitude, forced labour, enslavement,
quasi-slavery practices, or detachment of organs. An organised criminal gang is defined as a group of three or
more people who collaborate to carry out a premeditated act with the intent
of committing a human trafficking crime for the sake of gaining directly or
indirectly financial or any other material benefit. Corporate bodies will be liable to a fine ranging between
Dh100,000 and Dh1 million if their representatives, managers, or agents
commit a human trafficking crime. |
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