FNC okays changes in human trafficking law

Staff Reporter / 5 June 2013

Victims of human trafficking in the UAE would have better protection and their tormentors would face stiffer penalties as the Federal National Council (FNC) approved amendments to a federal law against the crime on Tuesday. Under the amended provisions in Federal Law No. 51 of 2006 on combating human trafficking, victims would be briefed about their full rights and they would be given medical attention if they request so or if they appear to be in need of medical or psychological treatment. The amendments also list the penalties for the culprits, ranging from shorter jail sentence to life imprisonment if the victim is a child or a disabled person, or if the perpetrator has threatened to kill or cause grievous bodily harm or tortured the victim physically and psychologically even when he/she fully knew the age or condition of the victim. The bill also stipulates the equivalent punishment for a person not reporting a human trafficking attempt even when he/she knew it was going to happen or was happening, as that person would be regarded as equally responsible as the original doer. It also provides further protection through a slew of provisions like imprisonment and fine for the convicts, and fines for whoever publicise the photographs of the victims or their names. The victims, if proved to have been victimised, will not be questioned for any crimes provided in the statute. Besides, the victims would not be liable to pay any civil suit fees if the accused files such a case demanding compensation. The amendments also detail the jurisdiction and functions of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking. The FNC approved the amendments after a synopsis of a report on combating human trafficking was read out by Sultan Juma Al Shamsi, rapporteur of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Ad-hoc Committee. According to the report, the House, during its session held on February 12, had referred the draft law to the committee tasked with the bill. The committee held seven meetings for this purpose. Tuesday’s FNC session, chaired by Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, also approved a federal bill on setting up the International Centre of Excellence for Combating Violent Extremism (Hidayat). The session was attended by Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash,  Health Minister Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Justice Dr Hadif bin Jowan Al Dhahiri, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for FNC Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash. 60,000 benefit from amnesty Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash spoke at length on the two-month amnesty given to illegal workers which ended in February. He said 60,000 violators benefitted from the amnesty. He also cast light on the wages protection system, which, he claimed, established a healthy labour relationship between the companies and the workers on their payrolls. He said the ministry has a system that keeps a watchful eye on violations and follow up the cases in which salaries are not made on time. Faith healing clinics in hospitals In a question raised by member Hamad Al Rahoomi to the health minister, he said, “Faith healing could treat and cure most of the psychiatric and psychological diseases, as proved in some countries where this is allowed. As it is not inconsistent with the conventional medical treatment, why do we not open a section for faith healing in hospitals to treat patients willing to undergo such treatment, alongside the conventional medical treatment offered by hospitals?” In reply, minister Al Owais said the UAE Constitution guaranteed the right of healthcare, and the law has specified the jurisdictions of the ministry. “We can’t deny the fact that people often go for ‘Shariah Ruqia’ (meaning faith cure as per Islamic doctrines) and Al Ruqia depends on the culture prevailing among people. This is, however, a matter pertaining to the Shariah science, but not in the modern medical practices,” he said. “Thus, there is no need for a doctor or a hospital to practise Al Ruqia.” Besides, hospitals do not prevent patients or their relatives from Al Ruqia whenever they need it.

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