The UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking discussed critical subjects related to combating human trafficking, essentially the report issued by the US Department of State on the subject.

At the 14th meeting of the committee recently hosted at the MSNCA premises in Dubai, the committee expressed its concern regarding some of the issues highlighted in the report as it ignored several tangible achievements accomplished by the UAE in combating human trafficking.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the committee, said that the US report lacks accuracy and objectivity as it failed to evaluate the efforts exerted by the UAE in combating human trafficking last year.

He said the report was biased and does not rely on accurate studies or on facts on-ground as it does not reflect reality of the progress achieved.

The committee reviewed recommendations by the human trafficking conference organized by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) on protecting human trafficking victims and praised the efforts of the ministry. The conference issued several recommendations that are being studied to set a follow up mechanism.

Dr Gargash appreciated the efforts exerted by the MoI in limiting and fighting human trafficking by pursuing criminals through the ministry's institutions. He said that these efforts are in line with national strategy to combat human trafficking and aimed at strengthening coordination with various concerned parties in the UAE.

The committee also discussed the participation of representatives in special training sessions for combating human trafficking in cooperation with the International Institute of Belarus that focuses on techniques and ways of combating the crime.

The meeting also highlighted the media campaign being rolled out to spread awareness on human trafficking crimes. The committee decided to launch the campaign in the fall of 2009 at all major airports and embassies in the UAE.

The committee discussed collecting and organising data related to human trafficking, as well as the studies that can help combat this dangerous crime.

The committee also listened to a detailed presentation on the initiative by Belarus in the UN to combat human trafficking, and reviewed reports presented by concerned parties in the UAE. – TradeArabia News Service