The UAE's Minister of Justice has underlined the country's commitment to stamping out the "heinous crime" of human trafficking.
Abdullah Al Nuaimi, marking the UN-established World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on Sunday, said the Emirates was taking tough action against offenders.
The Emirates has introduced legislation to combat all forms of human trafficking, which include sexual exploitation and forced labour.
The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking was established in 2007 to support these efforts.
Mr Al Nuami said the UAE had adopted "firm, serious measures" and was "at the forefront of countries in the region that have acceded to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime".
In 2021, the UAE took part in a major Interpol operation to tackle human trafficking, leading to hundreds of arrests.
A dedicated Dubai Police unit is setting out to help victims of human trafficking rebuild their lives.
Its Human Trafficking Crimes Control Centre was set up in 2009 with the aim of combating such crimes and improving victim support services.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy has intensified training programmes on trafficking crimes.
Mr Al Nuaimi said the Emirates has sought to keep pace with the evolving threat posed by human traffickers by building "strong, constructive bridges of co-operation between the national authorities, regional and international organisations to employ modern technology to make our institutions more resilient and responsive to fight this crime".
The law criminalises all forms of human trafficking and aims to prevent and combat all forms of human trafficking in the UAE, he said.
He highlighted the UAE's Five P's strategy – prevention, prosecution, punishment, protection and promotion (of international co-operation) - to tackling the crime.
‘’On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we affirm our constant and tireless endeavour to eradicate this heinous crime, with our belief in the centrality of co-operation at the various national, regional and international levels.
"We call on all state partners, United Nations agencies and civil society organisations to join efforts to confront this transnational crime."
Global call for action
The UN says global crises, conflicts and the climate emergency make trafficking risks worse.
"Together, let us build a world where no one can ever be bought, sold, or exploited," said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday.
‘’We must invest much more in detection and protection. We must strengthen law enforcement to bring criminals that commodify human beings to justice. And we must do more to help survivors rebuild their lives.''
‘’Today – amidst growing inequalities, worsening climate emergencies, and record displacement – more people are left vulnerable to traffickers.
"The majority of detected victims are women and children, many of whom suffer brutal violence, forced labour, and horrific sexual exploitation and abuse. Yet traffickers continue to operate with impunity. Their crimes are receiving not nearly enough attention. This must change.''
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
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Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
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I Care A Lot
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Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
