36 CAMEL JOCKEYS REPATRIATED FROM UAE

UNCLAS DHAKA 004102

SIPDIS

G/TIP, INL/CTR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KCRM BG
SUBJECT: 36 CAMEL JOCKEYS REPATRIATED FROM UAE



1. (SBU) On August 11, 36 Bangladeshi boys who were used as
camel jockeys in the UAE were repatriated to Bangladesh.
They were the first batch to return under an agreement the
UAE signed in May with UNICEF. More than 150 boys are
expected to return in several phases with assistance from
UNICEF and the International Organization of Migration (IOM).


2. (SBU) Home Minister of State Babar told local press, "We
will try our best to identify the parents and rehabilitate
them in their homes." Until the parents are located,
however, the boys will stay at the Bangladesh National Women
Lawyers Association (BNWLA) shelter in Dhaka. Local media
reported that Babar gave the Ministry of Social Welfare
responsibility for the boys whose parents could not be
identified.


3. (SBU) BNWLA Director Salma Ali told us that a cell
comprising representatives from UNICEF, IOM, local NGO's, and
the BDG will monitor the use of the $1,000 per child the UAE
government is giving the BDG for rehabilitation of the
children. According to Ali, 19 more boys are scheduled to
return to Dhaka shortly.
CHAMMAS