INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT: ABU DHABI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001891 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, L/DL, NEA/RA, AND NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KCRM KWMN SMIG ELAB UN AE SUBJECT: INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT: ABU DHABI REFS: A) STATE 147732 B) ABU DHABI 1883 (MOJ TRAINING) C) ABU DHABI 1820 (UAE REPORT) D) ABU DHABI 1687 (AMB LAGON VISIT) E) ABU DHABI 1542 (ACTION PLAN WITH MFA) F) DUBAI 411 (NATIONAL TIP COMMITTEE) Sensitive but unclassified. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: This cable responds to ref A request for interim assessment of UAEG efforts toward advancement of TIP goals. As confirmed by Ambassador Lagon's September visit (ref D),the UAE seeks to gain respect for its compassionate treatment of foreign workers and build institutions to systemically address TIP, which the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking has cited as "one of the vilest of crimes." The UAE Federal anti-trafficking law classifies human trafficking as an aspect of organized crime. Steps have been taken to improve victim identification, increase criminal investigations, and ensure fair treatment of victims. The UAEG has made several requests for training by USG-recommended experts (refs B and C) and acknowledges that much work will be required to achieve its anti-TIP objectives. Responses below include information from the UAEG anti-trafficking committee and address the categories noted in ref A, para six. End summary. -------------- Victim Identification -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In September, 2007, a series of training programs for police officers and public prosecutors got underway, with the goal of assuring more effective identification of human trafficking violations and respectful treatment of victims. The training is indicative of an ongoing UAEG effort to sensitize officials to the TIP phenomenon and fully implement anti-TIP legislation. Separately, 20 law school graduates are starting a special two-year training course to gain insight into laws dealing with cyber crimes, organized crime, terrorist activities, human rights, and TIP. The anti-TIP effort is an essential component of that program to groom future judicial officials with the aim of improving the speed and efficiency of the courts and investigative organs in dealing with this set of crimes. Efforts are also ongoing to conduct local and regional workshops and seminars to train police, immigration and airport staff, health and social services staff, educators, and the public at large. -------------- 
Increasing Prosecutions -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Since passing an anti-TIP law and creating the National Committee for Combating Human trafficking (ref F),the UAEG effort to coordinate the work of federal ministries involved in aspects of TIP has greatly improved. The UAEG seeks to ensure strict enforcement of the law and continues to train judges to increase the number of prosecutions. This long-term endeavor is designed to show quantitative results over time. Police have increased raids on locations suspected of a role in human trafficking and refer cases to public prosecutors. Police are also monitoring travel companies with a potential role in trafficking women. The licenses of companies involved in TIP are in some cases cancelled, as was the case with at least two night clubs exploiting women in Dubai which were shut down earlier this year. -------------- Victim treatment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The UAE is a conservative society in which prostitution -- which represents a significant portion of the TIP problem -- is a grave offense. While dealing firmly with anyone voluntarily practicing prostitution (including jail time and deportation),the UAEG has stated its firm intent to offer counseling and rehabilitation services to victims forced into prostitution, while also punishing the traffickers behind the crime. The UAEG is working to protect victims (not jailing or hastily deporting them) and local authorities try to provide shelter for victims separate from jail facilities (Dubai being an example). Under victim assistance programs, the UAEG works with foreign embassies and NGO's in coordinating the sheltering and subsequent travel of victims. Sensitive treatment of victims is a work in progress, but a work which has shown clear and sustained progress in 2007. -------------- Final Notes -------------- ¶5. (SBU) As the UAE grapples with a very large foreign labor population, it works methodically to align laws and practice with accepted international norms. The effort takes time in a nation ABU DHABI 00001891 002 OF 002 where the foreign population greatly outnumbers the local citizenry. The UAEG announced plans in October, 2007, to draft a new law to regulate domestic workers (maids) on similar terms with other laborers, for example, and is looking to implement employer insurance requirements, electronic wage payment, and accommodation standards in recognition of the need to standardize fair treatment of workers. This growing recognition of the nation's obligation to protect the vulnerable helps complement the UAE's direct efforts to combat TIP, while driving up its capacity to identify problems and implement practical solutions. SISON