The care centres will provide a safe shelter, healthcare and social support for the victims of human trafficking.

According to the decision, the new centres will be a corporate body enjoying financial and administrative independence, and operate under the umbrella of the RCA.

Shaikh Hamdan highlighted the UAE’s moral and humanitarian commitment to protecting victims of human trafficking and its support for international efforts to combat human trafficking crimes.

“The UAE endorsed international conventions related to fighting human trafficking such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1997, and the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime,” Shaikh Hamdan said.

In line with the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE strongly supports international efforts to fight human trafficking through setting legislation to limit this crime, which is disgraceful to humanity, Shaikh Hamdan added.

Increasing challenges

The UAE issued Federal Law No.51 (2006) on combating human trafficking and established the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking. It also set an integral national strategy in this regard.

Shaikh Hamdan underlined the UAE was among the first countries that called on the international community and UN organisations to shoulder their responsibility in protecting civilians, especially women and children, from human trafficking and war crimes.

“The UAE warned against the increasing challenges facing women and children as the most affected segments of society by inhuman crimes, armed conflicts and wars,” Shaikh Hamdan said.

He added that all divine legislation raised the value of human beings and prohibited crimes against humanity, and creating human rights laws protected human beings.

Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, praised Shaikh Hamdan’s decision as part of the country’s strategy and efforts to combat human trafficking and crimes against humanity.