UAE to keep fighting human trafficking: envoy

ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will keep fighting vigorously against human trafficking, and it has made significant progress to combat the crime. The UAE actions in the matter are guided by five principles: prevention, prosecution, punishment, protection, and promotion of international cooperation for the eradication of the menace.

This has been stated by the UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi here on Monday in the symposium on combating human trafficking under the theme “Standing together to support the victims of Human Trafficking.” The UAE Ambassador, Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi and Health Minister Aamir Mahmood Kaiani distributed artificial limbs to the victims of Human Trafficking on the occasion. The UAE embassy organised the event.

A special session was also held to celebrate the achievements of Pakistan’s team in Special Olympics World Games 2019 of Abu Dhabi under the title: “Special People, Great Ambitions Success Stories.” On his key note, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign and International Cooperation of the UAE and deputy head of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said: On behalf of the United Arab Emirates, I wish to recognise and appreciate the support of the government of Pakistan in the care given to the victims of human trafficking that are here with us. Today, we came to stand together to support victims of human trafficking confident that we contribute with this in the creation of effective prevention mechanisms and that we are moving together towards paving the road to establish guarantees of non-repetition.

He said that with the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, who provides a generous contribution to benefit the victims of this case of human trafficking, we are here today to support the victims of this crime aiming to place them out of the sphere of vulnerability and hoping that with these limbs they will start a new chapter of life that will grant them movement and new activities. With this action we are empowering them along with their communities.

The UAE action is in compliance with the commitments made in International criminal law and international human rights law instruments. Since we are party to the Palermo protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons and to the convention of the rights of persons with disabilities, both international instruments give a clear reference to the measures to be taken by the State in the rehabilitation and social reintegration of persons with disabilities who become victims of exploitation, he added. He reminded that the UAE has entered his 13 year in the campaign to counter and fight human trafficking. Since 2006, the government has made significant progress to combat the crime in this regard we have guided our actions under the five principles: prevention, prosecution, punishment, protection, and promotion of international cooperation. In addition, the UAE established the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking that serves as a coordinating body for countering human trafficking thanks to the participation of members of different ministries, law enforcement officials and civil society.

Our Country has developed efforts at international and regional level to combat this crime and we believe that bilateral cooperation it’s important to better tackle the criminal networks and to support victims of human trafficking, in this regard we have signed Memorandum of Understanding with several countries and we look forward to cooperate in this field with Pakistan. In March 2018 when this case happened in UAE, the EWAA shelter for victims of human trafficking give a prompt answer to the needs of protection of the victims such as legal assistance, physical and psychological rehabilitation and vocational training.

Also without delay it was adjust the shelter to receive men and to provide all the support needed for persons with disabilities. We wish to thank the mother of UAE Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak who always affirms the role of the UAE in carrying out its humanitarian responsibilities to the victims of human trafficking. In the UAE we have named the persons with disabilities as persons with determination since not only them but also their family and community acts in accordance which means that we recognize them, integrate them and provide them with opportunities of growth and development. We wish to present our appreciation for the important delegation that took part in the Special Olympics 2019 in Abu Dhabi, with their presence it was highlight the attention and support that Pakistan is giving to persons with disabilities, he said.

He congratulated the stars of Pakistan Special Olympic team on their great achievements in World Games 2019 hosted by Abu Dhabi, indeed such success stories reflects the hidden capabilities and potentials. The UAE and Pakistan enjoys friendly and historical relations in economic, political and social fields. Our nations have maintained dialogue and cooperation through the time with Pakistan, and we are confident that we will continue developing steps to prevent trafficking in persons to take place, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman said.

The chief guest Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Federal Minister National Health Services, appreciated the support of UAE government for both the victims of Human Trafficking and Special Children of the Pakistan Special Olympics. Deputy Head of the mission Abdul Aziz also attended the ceremony.