Human Trafficking Cases in UAE Drop, But Concerns Remain
A Slight Decline in Cases, but Underlying Issues Persist
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) has reported a significant drop in human trafficking cases in the country, with only 12 cases received by the organization in the past year compared to 24 in the same period of 2013. While this decline may seem promising, concerns remain about the issue of human trafficking in the UAE.
Weaknesses in Labor Laws and Investigation
A recent report from the US Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons concluded that violations of Emirati labor laws, which show signs of human trafficking, are not routinely investigated by authorities. The report also noted that efforts to identify forced labor victims and male victims remain weak, and data collection is insufficient.
Convictions and Sentencing
Sexual exploitation is another major concern in the UAE, with 19 sex trafficking cases prosecuted by authorities last year, down from 38 in the previous year. However, officials convicted 15 sex traffickers and administered sentences ranging from one to seven years’ imprisonment, with most perpetrators receiving three years or more with additional fines and subsequent deportation.
Trafficking Routes and Victim Nationalities
According to the US Department of State’s 2021 report on Trafficking in Persons: UAE, women were trafficked into the country for sexual exploitation from several countries, including:
- Syria
- Iraq
- Russia
- Azerbaijan
- Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kazakhstan
- Romania
- Moldova
- Ukraine
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Uganda
- Morocco
- India
- China
- Philippines
- Iran
- Pakistan
Ongoing Concerns and Recommendations
Despite the decline in cases, the government did not report convicting any labor traffickers during the reporting period, and historically has not reported any forced labor convictions. To address these concerns, it is essential to strengthen labor laws, improve investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases, and increase data collection and victim support services.
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