UN praises UAE's anti-trafficking efforts

Abu Dhabi: A UN official has commended UAE efforts in fighting all crimes related to human trafficking and set an example to be emulated by other countries. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking, is currently on a visit to the UAE to examine the situation of victims of human trafficking and the impact of anti-trafficking measures in the country. She lauded the UAE as a "model" in fighting crimes of human trafficking and hoped the UAE would further develop such preventive mechanisms to put an end to these crimes. The UN expert made her remarks during a discussion on Monday with Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Assistant Undersecretary of Ministry of Interior for Resources and Support Services, on ways of enhancing channels of cooperation and coordination with the UN Human Rights Council for combating human trafficking crimes. Later, Brigadier Ahmad Mohammad Nakhira, Director of Human Rights Department  and Head of Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, met with Ezeilo. The UN official said the UAE was making tremendous and sustained efforts to fight crimes related to human trafficking. These anti-human trafficking measures, she indicated, had evoked appreciation and praise from the international community and human rights organisations. She noted that the UAE had rolled out several initiatives at local, regional and international levels to combat trafficking in persons and support victims. The meeting reviewed policies and initiatives to fight crimes of human trafficking and UAE's role in advocating and upholding human rights in implementation of international conventions and recommendations put forward by the Universal Periodic Review on human rights in 2008. The UN official watched a presentation on the MoI's anti-human trafficking strategy. UN expert on trafficking in persons said the meeting was constructive and demonstrates the close cooperation between the UAE and international anti-human trafficking organisations. Later, she visited the Ewa'a Shelter for Women and Children in Abu Dhabi where she inspected services and care offered to victims taking shelter in the centre. She inspected the work progress at the centre where she met with a number of wommen victims. Sara Suhail, Exceutive Director of Ewa'a shelter, made a presentation on the vision, mission and goals of the centre as well as on categories benefiting from services provided by the centre. She spoke about procedures followed to rehabilitate victims of human trafficking and psychological, health and legal care provided to them.