Human Trafficking and the UAE - Thesis Example

Introduction

Human trafficking is defined in the UAE as “recruiting, transporting, moving or receiving persons by means of threat or use of force, or by any other means of coercion, kidnap, fraud, deceit, abuse of power, exploiting a condition of weakness, offering or receiving money or advantages to secure the consent of a person who is in control of another person, for the purposes of exploitation” (UAE Federal Law No 51, Art. 1). The issue of human trafficking is bound up with effects of globalization such as increased migration and the emergence of growing international networks of trade, some of which are conducted illegally. This study examines the current situation in the United Arab Emirates, tracing the extent of the problem at the current time, analyzing the prevention policies that are in place, and how effective they are, as well as making recommendations for the future based on these findings.

Aims

1. To identify the current extent of human trafficking in the UAE and emerging trends.
2. To analyze the current prevention policies in place in the UAE.
3. To survey the strategies adopted by other countries to prevent human trafficking in the Arabian Peninsula area and beyond.
4. To identify areas for improvement in the UAE’s current policies and make specific recommendations for change.

Method

1. Collection of data and trends in human trafficking in the UAE, the Arabian Peninsula, and beyond.
2. Analysis of data and identification of patterns and trends affecting the UAE.
3. Review of the literature on human trafficking including theoretical literature, causes, interventions, and local and international policies.
4. Review of the current policies in the UAE and evaluation of their effectiveness.

Literature Review

There is a vast literature on human trafficking, which is a practice as old as human history itself. Human trafficking to the Arabian Peninsula is recognized as being driven mainly by economic pressures, according to which people from impoverished areas travel to seek work, even poor quality and low-paid work, in areas where opportunities are better (Calandruccio, 2005, p. 267). There is a particular concern globally about the trafficking of women and children either into the sex trade or as domestic servants because of the human rights abuses that often accompany this kind of trafficking (Pearson, 2002, p. 13).  Some scholars advocate a loosening of controls across the globe, arguing the logic of globalization will lead to this eventually, and this would eliminate the need for risky and expensive migration modes using criminal means (Casey 2009, p. 14).

There are some regional and cultural differences in the nature of human trafficking, for example, the trafficking of young boys into the United Arab Emirates to become camel jockeys was until recently a particular problem (UAE Embassy, p. 1; Shelley, 2010, p. 75). Firm steps have been taken to eliminate this practice, and reparations have been made to victims of this trafficking in the past (International Labour Organization, 2010, p. 1). A specific offense of trafficking in persons was established in the UAE in 2006, and a national action plan against it was adopted in 2006 and renewed in 2008 (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2009, p. 90).