Tough law introduced in UAE to check human trafficking

Dubai, Nov 11 (UNI) The UAE has introduced a tough new law that gives a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and penalties of upto 1 million Dirhams to those indulging in human trafficking.

UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan cleared the law which defines human trafficking as mobilising, transporting, dispatching, or receiving persons through the use or the threat of force or any other forms of coercion, the official WAM news agency said.

The law is expected to put a brake on the flesh trade and other visa rackets which brings people here and leaves them to fend for themselves.

It includes kidnapping, deceit, manipulation, misuse of power, exploitation of others' weaknesses, or giving or receiving money or advantages to win the support of a person having influence over another person to exploit him.

Exploitation is defined to include exploitation for sex, engaging others in prostitution, servitude, forced labour, enslavement, quasi-slavery practices or detachment of organs.

The law imposes a prison term of at least five years for anyone engaging in human trafficking.

Corporate organisations will be liable to a fine ranging from 100,000 Dirhams to 1 million Dirhams if their representatives, managers or agents engage in human trafficking. The law will take effect one month after publication in the official gazette.

UNI XC MS DS1255