DUBAI // Countries need to work more closely together to combat human trafficking, a symposium on the issue was told last night.
Ghassan Khalil, an adviser on social policy and strategic planning at Dubai's Community Development Authority, stressed that the issue went beyond any one country.
"Human trafficking has a cross-border nature," he said. "There is a need to establish memorandums of understanding between countries of destination and countries of origin, in order to counter this crime."
More interaction between countries could result in shared information about traffickers, potentially leading to arrests of criminals, he said.
It would also be helpful in the safe repatriation of victims and efforts to prevent situations in which they could be abused again.
Mr Khalil, formerly the chief of child protection at Unicef in the Gulf region and director of the fund's camel jockey project, spoke about trafficking within the framework of international law, including the numerous conventions and treaties.
He addressed the need to build the capacity of law enforcement agencies to deal with trafficking cases, stressing that training lawyers, police officers and others on the front line of the fight was key.
He also noted the Emirates' efforts not only in repatriating children previously involved in camel racing, but also in their rehabilitation and reintegration into their own communities.
"There have been a lot of efforts made by the UAE in terms of countering human trafficking, and it should be noted that the UAE was the first country in the Arab world to develop anti-trafficking legislation," Mr Khalil said. "Law 51 is the cornerstone of national efforts."
The seminar was held at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association and organised by the Emirates Human Rights Association.
It included an animated discussion by Dr Omar Abdul Kafi, an Egyptian Islamic scholar based in the UAE, who peppered his talk with parables from Islam and other anecdotes, which he related to the concept of human rights. He also spoke out against the exploitation or abuse of individuals, particularly women and children. Sharia law forbids the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for profit, he said.
"It's important to speak out against this; it is against Islam.
"This problem can be solved. We can solve it through a religious approach and through religious law."
Those found guilty of trafficking in the UAE face tough penalties, including fines of up to Dh1 million (US$270,000).
Legislation and prosecution, victim support and awareness are all part of the strategy to combat trafficking, which has been identified as a priority by UAE authorities.
Earlier this month, the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking released its second annual report, which highlighted efforts made in the past year against the illegal trade.
The report noted significant progress, including at least 20 cases of trafficking registered last year, compared with 10 in 2007, but concluded that "much more needs to be done".
Also this month the Government expressed its "disappointment" with a US State Department report on trafficking, which downgraded the UAE's efforts, placing it back on a watch list of countries cited for their human trafficking records.
The report concluded that the UAE "does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking".
Soon after the report was released, Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said it had failed properly to describe the country's anti-trafficking efforts over the last year.
"The UAE Government is deeply disappointed by the subjective and inaccurate assessment in this report," said Dr Gargash, who is the chairman of the trafficking committee.
zconstantine@thenational.ae
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).