UAE tightens law on human trafficking

The UAE has tightened its law on fighting human trafficking with tougher penalties and more protection for victims.

ABU DHABI // The UAE has tightened its law on human trafficking, with tougher penalties and more protection for victims.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted yesterday that the draft law included "important provisions such as providing security protection to witnesses as well as lawyers and psychotherapy to victims".
"Such crimes represent a global phenomenon, requiring international cooperation," he tweeted. "[The] UAE will combat crimes that are against our morals and principles."
The Cabinet endorsed new federal laws on commercial fraud and human trafficking.
Sheikh Mohammed said the country would continue to develop legislation and laws to counter crime and fraud.
"Consumer protection consolidates the principle of transparency and impartiality in the business sector," he said.
"The enactment of laws for [the] protection of consumers regulates markets and raises their standards, as well as reflects the state's keenness to protect citizens from any harmful practices in the local market."
The new bill covers the sale, display or possession of counterfeit goods, corrupt or counterfeit awards and misleading adverts. It also increases the penalties for breaches of food, drug and medicine regulations.
Importers will have to return counterfeit or rotten goods to their source of origin or destroy them.
Under the law, a new Higher Committee to Combat Commercial Fraud has been formed to study reports of fraud and deceit and take the necessary decisions.
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