Dubai residents seek stricter penalties for human trafficking

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Dubai residents seek stricter penalties for human trafficking
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Dubai - The survey recommended the launch of extensive campaigns across the nation and efforts to combat it.

By WAM

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Published: Sun 18 Dec 2016, 9:56 PM

Nearly 94 per cent of Dubai residents have comprehensive or partial awareness of the concept of human trafficking and four per cent are not aware while two per cent of the residents have a different concept, according to a survey commissioned by the Dubai Police on attitudes and awareness about human trafficking crimes.
The survey of 1,597 random samples of Dubai residents was carried out by Addaera Research and Poll Centre and was commissioned by Dubai Police's Centre of Human Trafficking Monitor and Control Centre. It covered general public, public sector employees and private sector employees.
Major-General Abdul Quddus Al Obaidli, assistant to the Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief for Quality and Excellence, affirmed Dubai's determination to take further security measures and actions to stop crimes related to human trafficking.
"A series of resolutions, measures and programmes will be introduced under the strategy of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking," he added.
"The survey aimed at assessing results of efforts made by the government to combat human trafficking crimes since the Federal Law No. 51 of 2006 on Combating Human Trafficking Crimes was issued and the committee was set up in 2007.
"The important findings and valuable recommendations of the survey will have a far-reaching impact on the development and improvement of mechanisms and tools for fighting this crime," he added.
Hana Lootah, executive director of Addaera Research and Poll Centre, said 79 per cent of respondents have high awareness of the presence of anti-human trafficking laws in the country.
"Some 48 per cent of the members of the public are aware of the definition of the concept of human trafficking against 49 per cent and 41 per cent for those from the public sector and private sector, respectively," she said.
With regard to the UAE's efforts in combating the crime, 33 per cent said that they were fully aware of the efforts, 35 per cent said they were somewhat aware, while the remaining said they were unaware.
Interestingly, 68 per cent of the respondents said they received information on human trafficking from the print and audio-visual media, while 47 per cent received it from awareness campaigns, lectures or workshops, and 24 per cent learnt about it from victims.
The respondents stressed the need for strict penalties against traffickers with approval of 95 per cent, 96 per cent and 97 per cent by the members of the public, private sector employees and public sector employees, respectively.
The survey recommended the launch of extensive campaigns across the nation and efforts to combat it. Police personnel should undergo intensive training to build their capacities professionally and academically so as to be able to detect the crime.
The recommendations also included healthcare and support programmes to facilitate rehabilitation and re-integration of victims into the community. Media should also play an effective, increasing role as a key source of information to support anti-human trafficking efforts.


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